{"id":7625,"date":"2026-09-25T11:18:46","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T16:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/?p=7625"},"modified":"2026-09-25T11:18:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T16:18:46","slug":"september-25-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/2026\/09\/25\/september-25-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"September 25, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Federal Friday<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\" role=\"presentation\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Department of Justice: <a id=\"OWA1c589e8d-11d7-5651-8579-3f6e41a94113\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/doj-revises-justice-manual-strengthen-false-claims-act-enforcement. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/doj-revises-justice-manual-strengthen-false-claims-act-enforcement\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"0\">DOJ Revises Justice Manual to Strengthen False Claims Act Enforcement<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">White House: <a id=\"OWAa144438d-a536-dac1-8d35-e9ac5280c6e4\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2026\/09\/enhancing-program-integrity-and-integrity-and-interagency-coordination-in-the-administration-of-the-h-1b-nonimmigrant-visa-program\/. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2026\/09\/enhancing-program-integrity-and-integrity-and-interagency-coordination-in-the-administration-of-the-h-1b-nonimmigrant-visa-program\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"1\">Enhancing Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the Administration of the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Program<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">White House: <a id=\"OWA31375268-c41c-85c6-eb8e-44cf740c7de7\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/fact-sheets\/2026\/09\/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-further-enhances-program-integrity-and-interagency-coordination-in-the-h-1b-visa-program\/. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/fact-sheets\/2026\/09\/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-further-enhances-program-integrity-and-interagency-coordination-in-the-h-1b-visa-program\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"2\">Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Further Enhances Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the H-1B Visa Program<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">Department of Justice:<b> <\/b><a id=\"OWAde4b6585-7b20-9b06-9693-dfdce2fe1101\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/justice-department-finds-ucsf-medical-school-discriminates-based-race-admissions. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/justice-department-finds-ucsf-medical-school-discriminates-based-race-admissions\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"3\">Justice Department Finds UCSF Medical School Discriminates Based on Race in Admissions<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">Department of Education: <a id=\"OWA6980bd35-241f-7e0a-e0eb-e54c5a4da1ee\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/about\/news\/press-release\/us-department-of-education-approves-workforce-pell-grant-programs-texas. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Fpress-release%2Fus-department-of-education-approves-workforce-pell-grant-programs-texas&amp;data=05%7C02%7Csarah.ebben%40wisconsin.edu%7C8c3e1ff087974cb5fb6708df1a78a38e%7C18b1f8672df046a08ad305c86000c301%7C0%7C0%7C639258777586227044%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=m6idWatdExdFrEUc%2B0Q%2BGdwkZZB8jV1bEzqrU5oXTgs%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"4\">U.S. Department of Education Approves Workforce Pell Grant Programs in Texas<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">Department of Education: <a id=\"OWA28ce209b-5f1f-e269-c7c9-014244f4a333\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/about\/news\/press-release\/us-department-of-education-makes-significant-investment-americas-historically-black-colleges-and-universities. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/about\/news\/press-release\/us-department-of-education-makes-significant-investment-americas-historically-black-colleges-and-universities\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"5\">U.S. Department of Education Makes Significant Investment in America\u2019s Historically Black Colleges and Universities<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">Department of Education: <a id=\"OWAb47d9fe8-1f21-ccc8-53fa-b01e223d62b4\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/about\/news\/press-release\/us-department-of-education-announces-earliest-fafsa-launch-program-history-second-consecutive-year. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/about\/news\/press-release\/us-department-of-education-announces-earliest-fafsa-launch-program-history-second-consecutive-year\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"6\">U.S. Department of Education Announces Earliest FAFSA Launch in Program History for the Second Consecutive Year <\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">Department of State: <a id=\"OWAa9a5e1f8-ba9f-729e-0bf1-1b866d0d2e76\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.state.gov\/releases\/office-of-the-spokesman\/2026\/09\/launch-of-online-visa-fraud-tip-portal\/. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/releases\/office-of-the-spokesman\/2026\/09\/launch-of-online-visa-fraud-tip-portal\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"7\">Launch of Online Visa Fraud Tip Portal<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>Department of Labor: \u00a0<a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/newsroom\/releases\/eta\/eta20260923. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/newsroom\/releases\/eta\/eta20260923\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"8\">US Department of Labor Awards $65M to Develop, Expand Access to Training Opportunities Through Workforce Pell Grants<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Accreditation NPRM<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The comment period for the Department of Education&#8217;s <a id=\"OWA84d6d708-c2c6-35a2-6da6-344550a896b8\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2026\/08\/20\/2026-17001\/accreditation-innovation-and-modernization-the-secretarys-recognition-of-accrediting-agencies. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2026\/08\/20\/2026-17001\/accreditation-innovation-and-modernization-the-secretarys-recognition-of-accrediting-agencies\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"8\">proposed rule<\/a>\u00a0related to &#8220;Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: The Secretary&#8217;s Recognition of Accrediting Agencies: Institutional Eligibility Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended, Student Assistance General Provisions&#8221; closed on September 21, 2026. Over 5,000 comments were received by the agency; a handful of comments of interest are included below.<\/p>\n<ul data-editing-info=\"{&quot;applyListStyleFromLevel&quot;:true}\">\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Higher Learning Commission (HLC): <a id=\"OWAd0d27b2b-bb07-7036-b4b6-c2d1d91f04a7\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.hlcommission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/HLC-Comment-RE-AIM-Proposed-Rule.pdf?utm_source=Federal%2C+State+and+Accreditor+Contacts&amp;utm_campaign=431bb76337-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_05_28_09_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-700a655cbc-156153797. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hlcommission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/HLC-Comment-RE-AIM-Proposed-Rule.pdf?utm_source=Federal%2C+State+and+Accreditor+Contacts&amp;utm_campaign=431bb76337-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_05_28_09_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-700a655cbc-156153797\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"9\">Comment Letter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">APLU: <a id=\"OWA17f9d714-15e8-2879-4870-9a73baa87e8a\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.aplu.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/AccreditationNPRMresponse09172026.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aplu.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/AccreditationNPRMresponse09172026.pdf\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"10\">Comment Letter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">ACE: <a id=\"OWA13aa282c-e11c-7753-8f9a-06605a21b62a\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.acenet.edu\/Documents\/Comments-ED-Draft-Rule-Accreditation-091726.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.acenet.edu\/Documents\/Comments-ED-Draft-Rule-Accreditation-091726.pdf\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"11\">Association Led Comment Letter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">NASFAA: <a id=\"OWAa5731947-acc2-7e39-0fb7-f6e1146394e8\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.nasfaa.org\/uploads\/documents\/PublicComment_Accreditation_Innovation_and_Modernization_NPRM_Due_September_21.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasfaa.org\/uploads\/documents\/PublicComment_Accreditation_Innovation_and_Modernization_NPRM_Due_September_21.pdf\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"12\">Comment Letter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">COGR: <a id=\"OWA3b42740e-dada-21c5-a122-a27ccaf6284b\" class=\"x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.cogr.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/DOEd%20Accreditation%20Standards%20Response%20Final.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cogr.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/DOEd%20Accreditation%20Standards%20Response%20Final.pdf\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"13\">Comment Letter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">Muti-State Attorneys General: <a id=\"OWAfcfd47bf-906e-7842-aaeb-7411be8f75fd\" class=\"x_x_x_OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/comment\/ED-2025-OPE-1042-2608. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/comment\/ED-2025-OPE-1042-2608\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"14\">Comment Letter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Any developments as the agency reviews comments and looks to finalize the rule will be shared with campus stakeholders; if you have questions or concerns in the meantime, please feel free to reach out to your <\/span><a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/federal-updates\/. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/federal-updates\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"15\">university liaison<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Education Department General Administrative Regulations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">The comment period for the Department of Education&#8217;s <\/span><a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2026\/08\/24\/2026-17239\/education-department-general-administrative-regulations. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2026\/08\/24\/2026-17239\/education-department-general-administrative-regulations\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"16\">proposed rule<\/a> related to \u201cEducation Department General Administrative Regulations\u201d closed on September 23, 2026. Over 5,000 comments were received by the agency; a handful of comments of interest are included below.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">ACE: <a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/comment\/ED-2026-OPEPD-2542-5364. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/comment\/ED-2026-OPEPD-2542-5364\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"17\">Association Led Comment Letter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">APLU: <a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/comment\/ED-2026-OPEPD-2542-5027. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/comment\/ED-2026-OPEPD-2542-5027\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"18\">Comment Letter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div role=\"presentation\">COGR: <a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/comment\/ED-2026-OPEPD-2542-5356. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/comment\/ED-2026-OPEPD-2542-5356\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"19\">Comment Letter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Any developments as the agency reviews comments and looks to finalize the rule will be shared with campus stakeholders; if you have questions or concerns in the meantime, please feel free to reach out to your <\/span><a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/federal-updates\/. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/federal-updates\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"20\">university liaison<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Political Activity Guidance Reminder<\/b><\/p>\n<p>As a reminder, as uncertainty continues around the federal landscape, Universities of Wisconsin employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, you can read the\u00a0<a title=\"Original URL: https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/guidance-on-political-campaign-activities-at-university-of-wisconsin-system-institutions\/. Click or tap if you trust this link.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/guidance-on-political-campaign-activities-at-university-of-wisconsin-system-institutions\/\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"8\">Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions<\/a>\u00a0document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.<\/p>\n<p>Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to the Office of General Counsel or your university\u2019s Office of Legal Affairs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Federal Friday Department of Justice: DOJ Revises Justice Manual to Strengthen False Claims Act Enforcement White House: Enhancing Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the Administration of the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Program White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Further Enhances Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the H-1B Visa Program Department of Justice: [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3213,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fed-friday-updates","category-federal-updates"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3213"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7625"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7627,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7625\/revisions\/7627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/government-relations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}