Federal Friday:
House Appropriations Committee Update
On September 1st, the House Appropriations Committee released the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Bill. The bill was marked up in the subcommittee on September 2nd, and a full committee markup is expected in the coming days.
As summarized by the Committee, the bill “provides a discretionary total of $67 billion to the Department of Education, which is $12 billion (15%) below the FY25 enacted level.” Importantly, the bill proposes maintaining “funding for Pell Grants at the discretionary maximum award level of $6,335.” However, given proposed cuts to programs like Federal Work Study and SEOG, the Universities of Wisconsin will continue to engage with our federal delegation and our national association to express the importance of full funding of our priorities as Congress works to advance funding legislation before the end of the federal fiscal year, September 30th.
If interested in reading more on the House Appropriations Committee bill, you can review the bill summary and bill text.
Political Activity Guidance Reminder
As a reminder, as uncertainty continues around the emerging federal landscape, Universities of Wisconsin employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.
Activities such as sharing a petition or contacting a legislator for political purposes using your university email address or state resources to engage in political campaign activities at any time or engaging in political activities during work time are prohibited.
In your capacity as private citizens, on non-work time, and without use of university resources (including the use of university email addresses) employees may circulate or sign a petition or letter of support advocating for public policy or a political candidate. However, if using your name and official title, it should be made clear that an individual’s endorsement indicates neither support nor endorsement by the university of a particular policy position or candidate, and that you are acting solely in your role as a private citizen.
For more information, you can read the Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.
Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to the Office of General Counsel or your university’s Office of Legal Affairs.