{"id":7143,"date":"2025-08-29T13:10:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T18:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/?p=7143"},"modified":"2025-08-27T13:12:39","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T18:12:39","slug":"federal-working-group-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/2025\/08\/29\/federal-working-group-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal Working Group Update\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Universities of Wisconsin Federal Updates Working Group has been actively reviewing federal legislative actions, regulatory changes, and Presidential executive orders. In addition to monitoring these actions, Universities of Wisconsin leaders have been in frequent contact with Wisconsin\u2019s Congressional delegation, State of Wisconsin officials, and our national associations while continuing to provide resources to students and staff. Here is a summary of some of the actions taken by the Universities of Wisconsin:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Higher Education Leaders Share Concerns on Federal Financial Aid<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In May, the leaders of the Universities of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Wisconsin Technical College System sent a <\/span>letter to Wisconsin\u2019s Congressional Delegation<\/span><\/a> highlighting concerns with the Student Success and Taxpayer Saving Plan as passed by the House Education and Workforce Committee.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fuel Futures \u2013 Importance of Pell Grants<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the June meeting of the Board of Regents, President Rothman shared his views related to the impacts of proposed changes to federal financial aid being discussed in Congress. Recognizing the importance of federal financial aid programs to student success, President Rothman unveiled the Universities of Wisconsin <\/span>Fuel Futures website<\/span><\/a>, which serves as a portal for UWs graduates and students to share their stories about how Pell Grants and other federal financial aid helped foster educational opportunities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Communication from President Rothman to Congressional Delegation on Federal Budget Impact<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In June, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman sent a\u202f<\/span>letter to Wisconsin\u2019s congressional delegation<\/span><\/a>\u202fexpressing opposition to the proposed cuts to federal financial aid and federal research agencies contained within President Trump\u2019s FY26 Discretionary Budget Request. The letter asked for Congress to keep these concerns in mind as it drafts and considers FY26 appropriations legislation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congressional Action and Executive Orders\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed <\/span>H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act\u00a0<\/span><\/a> into law. Following the bill becoming Public Law No. 119-21, the Department of Education began the <\/span>implementation of the higher education provisions<\/span><\/a> of the law, and the Department has now announced <\/span>negotiated rulemaking<\/span><\/a> as it looks to implement the provisions related to federal student loans and the Pell Grant program.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Congress returns to DC following the August Recess, it works 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. For more, you can watch the <\/span>archived markup<\/span><\/a> and review the <\/span>bill text<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>committee report.<\/span><\/a> As part of this process, changes to the Pell Grant and other federal financial aid programs are possible, but to date, our voice and the voice of colleagues across the country are mitigating the most drastic measures.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the Federal Updates Workgroup continues to be engaged on these and other legislative matters, it also continues to track and share updates related to Presidential Executive Orders including those listed below, which you can review to learn more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n