June 27, 2025

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Reconciliation Updates

Over the past week, the Senate Parliamentarian reviewed H.R.1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act against the Senate’s “Byrd Rule”.  As revealed by the Senate Budget Committee’s Ranking Member several provisions appear to violate the rule, which – if interested – you can read the Ranking Member’s press releases. As these provisions are worked out, the Senate is expected to vote in the coming days.

FY26 Appropriations Updates

The House Committee on Appropriations continues to markup the committee’s FY26 funding bills. While the Senate has not yet moved on FY26 appropriations bills, the Senate Committee on Appropriations held a full committee hearing on the President’s rescissions request with Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought as a witness. Continued Congressional action is expected with regard to both of these issues in the coming weeks.

Advocacy Updates

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on additional issues of importance and concern to our universities. In advance of Congress considering budget reconciliation legislation, these efforts have included in-person meetings where discussions focused on the criticality of federal financial aid and fully funding research agencies, among other topics. Further updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

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.

Litigation Update

On June 24th, Attorney General Kaul announced that Wisconsin joined a coalition of 21 other attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to stop the federal government from unlawfully terminating grants by invoking a “no longer effectuates … agency priorities” clause from the Uniform Guidance regulations.  This clause has been the basis for much of the Trump Administration’s terminations of thousands of grants previously awarded to states and grantees.

As noted in the release, “The Trump administration has abruptly canceled grants based on its assertion of sweeping authority to do so.  This case seeks to establish that the administration does not have the expansive authority to cancel grants that it has claimed to have.”

If interested, additional information is available in the press release and the complaint itself. For more, you can continue to monitor the Universities of Wisconsin Litigation Update page.

Recent Federal Actions