This week’s Federal Update covers Congressional and Executive activities of interest in Washington, D.C.
Congressional Branch activities of interest
Floor Activity
Both the House and Senate were in Session this week.
FY 2026 Appropriations
It is reported that the Senate will soon consider a second FY26 funding package consisting of the Defense, Labor-Health & Human Services-Education, Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment, and Transportation-Housing-Urban Development bills. The package may be found here.
In the House, Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) has said that House Appropriations subcommittee chairs will soon begin negotiating with their Senate counterparts on the remaining spending bills.
Hearings
On November 18, the House Committee on Education and Workforce held a hearing titled: “The Future of College: Harnessing Innovation to Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs.” In the hearing, the committee discussed ways to increase student success and graduation rates, while lowering overall college costs and loans. Some innovations that were encouraged included increasing focus on technology and AI and ensuring that colleges are adequately preparing students for the workforce. Committee member and Indiana Rep. Mark Messmer (R) asked witnesses about governance models that help institutions move quickly while maintaining accountability to students. Watch the hearing here.
Bills Introduced
The Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act of 2025 (H.R. 6054) was introduced by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). The bill would require that a percentage of all federal cancer research funding be dedicated to pediatric cancer research. That share would match the proportion of U.S. residents who are under 18. Read the bill text here.
The Student Transparency for Understanding Decisions in Education Net Terms (STUDENT) Act (H.R. 6134) was introduced by Rep. Rand Feenstra (R-IA). The bill would require the disclosure of the estimated total interest amount based on the student’s loan repayment plan. Rep. Feenstra said that he hopes this bill will better inform students in their college decision making and keep them out of high debt due to student loans. Read the press release here. Read the bill text here.
Senator Cantwell Requests Review of Tax-Exempt Status for College Sports
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) called into question whether college sports institutions, including the NCAA, athletic conferences, and member universities, should continue to operate as tax-exempt entities in light of the professionalized era of college athletics. In a letter to the Joint Committee on Taxation, Sen. Cantwell requested an analysis of federal tax law and whether the revenue generated by college sports should be subject to federal unrelated business income tax. Read the letter here.
Executive Branch activities of interest
Department of Education Announces Six Interagency Agreements
The Department of Education (ED) announced that it is moving the management of several higher education programs to other federal agencies. ED revealed six new interagency agreements (IAA) in an effort to fulfill the President’s goal to dismantle the Department of Education. The new partnerships include a higher education partnership with the Department of Labor (DOL) and an international education and Foreign Language Studies partnership with the Department of State. Under the DOL partnership, the DOL will “take on a greater role in administering most postsecondary education grant programs authorized under the Higher Education Act,” including TRIO and Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN). Under the State Department agreement, the State Department will oversee all International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) programs, including the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships.
Read the full press release here to see the partnership fact sheets for each new IAA.