Message from Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman

The following message from President Rothman providing updates on work occurring over the summer related to several federal issues. As the fall semester begins, rest assured updates will be shared via appropriate campus channels and through the Universities of Wisconsin Federal Updates webpage.

As students return to campus and legislative leaders return to Washington, D.C. following the August recess, I want to provide some updates on our work on a host of federal issues.

Federal Updates Working Group

Since the beginning of the calendar year, the Universities of Wisconsin have been reviewing federal legislative actions, regulatory changes, and Presidential executive orders. Our team and your university leaders have been tireless in responding to these changes and supporting our UWs on these national issues. Continue to check our Federal Updates website for updates and additional information.

Legislation and Executive Order Highlights

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law. Following the bill becoming Public Law No. 119-21, the Department of Education began the implementation of the higher education provisions of the law, and the Department has now announced negotiated rulemaking as it looks to implement the provisions related to federal student loans and the Pell Grant program.

In addition, Congress continues to work to advance appropriations legislation ahead of the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30. While the House of Representatives did not consider the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act before the August Recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee did mark up the legislation. If interested, you can watch the archived markup and review the bill text and committee report.

While we will continue to be engaged on these and other legislative matters, we also continue to track and share updates related to Presidential Executive Orders including those listed below, which you can review if you’d like to learn more.

• White House: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Stops Wasteful Grantmaking
• White House: Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ensures Transparency in Higher Education Admissions
• Department of Education: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Directs National Center for Education Statistics to Collect Universities’ Data on Race Discrimination in Admissions

Litigation

To date, the State of Wisconsin has joined several multi-state lawsuits relating to the actions of the federal government and their impact on the Universities of Wisconsin. Read more about this topic here: Litigation Action on Federal Directives.

Advocacy

We have been actively meeting and sharing updates with Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation and working through our national associations on additional issues of importance and concern to our universities. These efforts have included in-person meetings on the criticality of federal financial aid and fully funding research agencies, among other topics.

Political Activity Guidance

Many of you have expressed interest in advocating for the UWs on federal issues. I applaud your commitment to the UWs. I urge you to be mindful of our political activity and public advocacy guidelines as a UW employee. Please read the Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Recent Federal Actions

• Department of Education: Secretary McMahon Announces “Returning Education to the States” 50-State Tour
• Department of Justice: Justice Department Finds George Washington University Deliberately Indifferent to Antisemitic Discrimination
• Department of Justice: Justice Department Settles Lawsuits Challenging Race-Based Admissions at West Point and Air Force Academy
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Issues Proposed Public Service Program Rules to Protect American Taxpayers
• National Institutes of Health: Advancing NIH’s Mission Through a Unified Strategy
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Prohibits Federal Funds from Supporting Political Activism on College Campuses

White House Orders on Grantmaking and Admissions

On August 7, President Trump acted on issues related to oversight of federal grantmaking and admissions practices at institutions of higher education. The Universities of Wisconsin continue to review these orders and will share relevant updates with university stakeholders as appropriate.  Should you wish to review the documents, you can find them at the links below.

• White House: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Stops Wasteful Grantmaking
• White House: Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ensures Transparency in Higher Education Admissions
• Department of Education: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Directs National Center for Education Statistics to Collect Universities’ Data on Race Discrimination in Admissions

 Recent Federal Actions

• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Wagner College Has Entered into a Resolution Agreement to Resolve its Title IX Concerns
• USCIS: USCIS Updating Policy to Protect Women’s Sports
• Department of Education: Under Secretary Kent: Restoring American Greatness in Postsecondary Education
• White House: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Stops Wasteful Grantmaking
• White House: Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ensures Transparency in Higher Education Admissions
• Department of Education: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Directs National Center for Education Statistics to Collect Universities’ Data on Race Discrimination in Admissions

Senate Appropriations Committee Markup

On July 31, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a markup of the Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Acts. You can watch the archived markup at the preceding link and review the FY26 LHHS Bill Summary. The legislative text and committee report will also be posted on this site for further review.

As described in Chairwoman Collins Press Release, the bill includes the following provisions of interest:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH): $48.7 billion for NIH, an increase of $400 million.
• NIH Indirect Costs: Maintains language prohibiting changes to indirect cost rates.
• TRIO: $1.2 billion to support low-income individuals and first-generation college students.
• Pell Maximum Award: Maintains the maximum Pell award for a total of $7,395 for the 2026-2027 school year.

The House Committee on Appropriations has not yet marked up their FY26 Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill. As such, legislative activity will continue in this space in advance of the end of the Federal Fiscal Year, September 30^th.

Litigation Tracker Update

The Universities of Wisconsin Litigation Update page has been updated to reflect recent activity in this space. If interested, feel free to review to see updates across a variety of cases. They include a multi-state case seeking a ruling that a change in “agency priorities” is not a sufficient basis under the Uniform Guidance to terminate grants, and a multi-state case challenging Department of Education’s non-continuation of MHSP and SBMH grants. 

Recent Federal Actions

• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Initiates Investigation into Duke University and Duke Law Journal
• Department of Justice: Justice Department Finds the University of California-Los Angeles in Violation of Federal Civil Rights Law
• Department of Justice: Justice Department Releases Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination
• Department of Education: Secretary McMahon Statement on Brown University Deal
• Select Committee on the CCP: Moolenaar, Walberg, Stefanik Unveil New Harvard-CCP Ties

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.

Recent Federal Actions

• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Immediate Implementation of Higher Education Provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
• Federal Student Aid: Federal Student Loan Program Provisions Effective Upon Enactment Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
• Department of Justice: Justice Department Launches Second Investigation into George Mason University
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Issues Guidance on Artificial Intelligence Use in Schools, Proposes Additional Supplemental Priority
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Opens Investigations into Five Universities for Alleged Exclusionary Scholarships Preferencing Foreign-Born Students
• Department of State: Investigation of Harvard University Participation in the Exchange Visitor Program
• Department of Education: Secretary McMahon Statement on Columbia University Deal
  • White House Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Secures Major Settlement with Columbia University
  • Columbia University: Our Resolution With the Federal Government
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Negotiated Rulemaking to Implement President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill
• White House Executive Order: Saving College Sports
  • White House Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Saves College Sports
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Opens Title IX Investigation into the Oregon Department of Education

This has been a light week legislatively on issues we are monitoring, so we do not have any updates to share this week.

Recent Federal Actions

• Department of Education: Secretary McMahon Statement on Supreme Court Victory for Future of American Education
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor Implement Workforce Development Partnership
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Opens Foreign Funding Investigation into the University of Michigan
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces Additional Trump-Vance Appointees

Reconciliation Update

On July 1, the Senate passed H.R.1, which provides for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H.Con.Res. 14 with an amendment via a vote of 51-50. Vice President Vance cast the tiebreaking vote. Following further consideration, on July 3, the House of Representatives agreed to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1 via a vote of 218-214.  The bill was signed into law by President Trump on July 4 becoming Public Law No: 119-21.

For more, you can review the full bill text and read an article from the White House titled, “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Is Now the Law.” Additionally, the American Council on Education provided a comprehensive summary and state of play on July 3, 2025.

With H.R. 1 signed into law, both the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee will turn to FY26 appropriations. As appropriations bills are released, you can review them on the House Committee on Appropriations website and the Senate Committee on Appropriations website. As bills are released, relevant information will continue to be shared with designated campus legislative liaisons.

Rescheduled House Education and Workforce Committee Hearing

On July 15 beginning at 9:15 a.m. Central Time, the House Committee on Education and Workforce will hold a hearing titled, “Antisemitism in Higher Education: Examining the Role of Faculty, Funding, and Ideology.”

Invited witnesses include:

• Dr. Robert M. Groves, Interim President, Georgetown University
• Dr. Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor, The City University of New York
• Dr. Rich Lyons, Chancellor, University of California, Berkeley

The hearing will be live-streamed on the Committee’s YouTube page.

Recent Federal Actions

• White House: Extending the Modification of the Reciprocal Tariff Rates
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Continues Enforcement of Reciprocal Tariffs and Announces New Tariff Rates
• White House: Ending Market Distorting Subsidies for Unreliable, Foreign‑Controlled Energy Sources
  • White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ends Market Distorting Subsidies for Unreliable, Foreign-Controlled Energy Sources
• Department of Education: Department of Education Announces Appointment of National Center for Education Statistics Acting Commissioner Dr. Matthew Soldner
• Department of Homeland Security: DHS Sends Administrative Subpoenas to Harvard University
• Department of Education: U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services Notify Harvard University’s Accreditor of Harvard’s Title VI Violation
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Continues to Improve Federal Student Loan Repayment Options, Addresses Illegal Biden Administration Actions
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Ends Taxpayer Subsidization of Postsecondary Education for Illegal Aliens
• Department of Health and Human Services: HHS Bans Illegal Aliens from Accessing its Taxpayer-Funded Programs
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Opens Title VI Investigation into George Mason University

Reconciliation Updates

On July 1, the Senate passed H.R.1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with an amendment via a vote of 51-50. Vice President Vance cast the tiebreaking vote. The legislation was sent back to the House of Representatives where debate is ongoing. As of mid-morning July 2^nd, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on final passage of the legislation this week. Additional details will be shared as appropriate.

New! FAQ for International Students

A new FAQ addressing the changes to the student visa vetting process was added to the International Student, Faculty & Staff Resources page.

Recent Federal Actions

• Department of Education: Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism Letter to Harvard University
• House Committee on the Judiciary: Chairmen Jordan and Fitzgerald Subpoena Brown and Penn
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Announces the University of Pennsylvania Has Entered into a Resolution Agreement to Resolve its Title IX Violations
• Department of Education: Secretary McMahon Remarks on UPenn Resolution Agreement

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

• Department of Education: Secretary McMahon Celebrates 53rd Anniversary of Title IX at “Her Game, Her Legacy” Event in New Mexico
• Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Finds California Department of Education and California Interscholastic Federation in Violation of Title IX
• Justice Department: Justice Department Opens Investigation on University of California-System Race and Sex-Based Employment Practices