Bringing to an end the drawn-out negotiations over FY18 federal funding, Congressional leaders released a final omnibus-spending bill late Wednesday. The package allocates $1.3 trillion in FY18 funding across all government accounts and, on account of Congress’s agreement last month to eliminate the sequester, provides big increases for defense, as well as boosts to a number of University priorities, including a significant $3 billion increase for NIH.... Read more about Federal Update: Congress Releases Final FY18 Omnibus Funding bill

After Senate Majority and Minority Leaders Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY, AB’71, JD’74) unveiled a massive budget agreement on early Thursday, Congress moved quickly to continue government funding and pass this deal. There were objections to the deal from Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) that led to a brief middle of the night shutdown but ultimately, the deal continuing funding and providing a $300 billion increase of discretionary funding for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 passed both houses with strong bipartisan votes of 71-28 and 240-186. The President signed the bill this morning.... Read more about Federal Update: Congress Approves Two-Year, $300 Billion Budget Increase

In its final week before adjourning for the year, Congress moved to clear the deck of some major outstanding issues, beginning with final passage of the tax reform bill (more information here) on Wednesday. With that package headed to the President’s desk for his signature, Congress turned its attention to funding the government ahead of the December 22 expiration of the current continuing resolution (CR). Unprepared to finalize spending for the year, lawmakers passed yet another short-term CR to provide stopgap funding at current spending levels through January 19.... Read more about Federal Update: Congress Passes Tax Reform, Avoids Shutdown, will Adjourn for the Year

Continuing at breakneck speed, conferees agreed Friday to a final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and released the language of the bill to the public late in the day. Final votes are expected in the House and Senate next week. After last minute jockeying by members, leadership has solidified Republican support for the bill and we do not anticipate further changes or roadblocks to its passage.... Read more about Federal Update: Tax Bill Emerges from Conference: A Mixed Bag for Higher Education

With the end of the year in sight, Capitol Hill is pushing forward in key areas. The list of legislative items in play with implications for the University are growing in urgency and in number, as tax reform efforts continue to advance, a major fiscal deadline looms, and lawmakers take the first steps on a long path toward reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Republicans are increasingly frustrated and worried with their lack of tangible legislative victories, particularly with the approaching midterm elections. We have seen that dynamic with the tax bill, which has moved quickly and with little appetite for careful examination of the details. On funding, politics and partisan gamesmanship are overshadowing serious negotiations over the top-line spending levels that are an essential first step in finalizing FY18 funding. Following is a more detailed overview of these recent activities in Washington and the outlook for the next several weeks.... Read more about Federal Update: Senate Approves Tax Package while Partisan Fights Stoke Fears of December Shutdown