Washington Update (August 2025)-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the August Washington update, Brian provided an overview of the current federal policy landscape impacting higher education. Despite Congress being in recess through August, significant actions continue via the executive branch under the Trump administration, including investigations and settlements with universities regarding issues like anti-Semitism and gender identity. Notably, Brown University and Columbia University reached settlements involving multi-million dollar payments linked to workforce and federal grants. International student visa processes are tightening with new reviews and fees, signaling potential recruitment challenges.<br /><br />On August 7, President Trump issued an executive order requiring political appointees in federal agencies to review all new research grant funding requests, prioritizing low-cost proposals and reducing civil servant discretion. This raises concerns about the future of research funding, especially for research universities that rely on higher indirect costs. Meanwhile, in Congress, a bipartisan Senate committee approved increased funding for education and NIH, rejecting proposed deep cuts by the administration. However, the upcoming FY26 budget remains uncertain, with continuing resolutions and possible government shutdowns looming due to partisan tensions and rescission efforts.<br /><br />Further, efforts to implement H.R. 1 (the reconciliation bill) continue, including changes to student loan repayment plans and loan limits based on graduate versus professional programs. The session concluded with discussion on the endowment tax regulations and ongoing advocacy efforts, emphasizing the importance of alumni engagement and collaboration among institutional government relations officials.

Keywords

federal policy

higher education

Trump administration

university settlements

anti-Semitism

gender identity

international student visas

research grant funding

student loan repayment