Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick

Dear Colleagues,

With both chambers of Congress finishing their two-week recess this week, most of the action recently has come from the Administration, which continues to target institutions of higher education with funding cuts, investigations, and another series of executive orders (EOs) announced on Wednesday.

Next week, however, Congress will continue working on its ambitious budget reconciliation agenda. As Congress resumes, standing committees will take center stage in shaping the next phase of the budget reconciliation process, with an eye toward identifying spending cuts or new revenue sources within their jurisdictions.

As I have shared before, several key higher education programs are at risk during this process. Earlier this week, I issued an Action Alert to institutions with representation on the House or Senate education committees, warning of proposals to eliminate the Grad PLUS loan program and to impose unreasonably low aggregate borrowing caps for graduate students. If you received this Action Alert, please contact your representatives as soon as you can.

These proposed cuts, combined with potential efforts to implement institutional risk-sharing, modify the endowment tax, and revise student and family tax benefits, pose an existential threat to our sector.

Several of the EOs announced this week have direct implications for independent colleges and universities. While some address less controversial issues like workforce development and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, others appear to have broader implications for colleges and universities. These include an order on disclosures of foreign gifts and contracts and a long-rumored order on accreditation. (See our stories below for more details).

Soundbite

• NAICU Supports NIH-Related Lawsuit. NAICU, along with other higher education associations, signed onto an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging grant delays and terminations at the National Institutions of Health (NIH). Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that NIH’s actions violate numerous statutory and constitutional provisions related to procedural and spending requirements.

I hope you have a pleasant weekend.

Regards,

Barbara

Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.
President, NAICU

For more information, please contact:
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.