Good afternoon,
The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the University of ÑÇÖÞÓ°Ôº System regarding the federal government and higher education. We have put together a list of news articles that will keep you informed of the actions taken by the executive, legislative, and judicial branch of government. These articles are meant to be informative and are not a reflection of the views or stance of the system regarding these issues.
If you would like more information regarding any of the stories we share, or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact Dusty Schnieders schniedersd@umsystem.edu and/or Emily Lucas el59bz@umsystem.edu.
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Capitol Hill News
The Hill – August 6, 2026
The Senate Agriculture Committee did not advance its Farm Bill this week after the legislation failed on an 11-10 party-line vote following more than three hours of committee debate. The outcome largely reflected ongoing disagreements over changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), particularly provisions related to state cost-sharing requirements. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) were not present for the vote.
While no amendments were adopted to Title VII (Research, Extension, and Related Matters), the committee approved an en bloc package that included several research and higher education priorities, including permanently authorizing $15 million for Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions, providing $50 million for 1890 Centers of Excellence, and authorizing $200 million for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR).
Chairman John Boozman has recessed the committee and indicated he intends to bring the legislation back for another vote after the Senate returns in September. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the Farm Bill process moves forward.
American Hospital Association – August 5, 2026
A bipartisan group of senators Aug. 5 introduced the Supporting Underserved and Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Integrity Now and for the Future of 340B Act (SUSTAIN 340B Act), a bill aimed at providing statutory clarity for the 340B Drug Pricing Program while establishing new transparency, reporting and program integrity requirements. The bill would codify the use of contract pharmacies and require drug manufacturers to offer 340B pricing regardless of whether drugs are dispensed through a covered entity or contract pharmacy. It also would prohibit manufacturers from imposing conditions on access to 340B pricing or restricting delivery of 340B drugs to contract pharmacy locations. In addition, the bill would establish a statutory definition of a 340B patient and create new documentation, reporting, auditing and compliance requirements for covered entities.
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation – August 2, 2026
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released the revised text of the Protect College Sports Act. The Protect College Sports Act aims to end the disorder facing college athletics by establishing nationwide standards for name, image, and likeness (NIL), transfers, eligibility, and enforcement. With support from the two largest conferences in the NCAA, the bill now has the backing of 28 collegiate athletic conferences, more than 370 colleges and universities across all 50 states and Washington, D.C, historically black colleges and universities, hundreds of thousands of student athletes, and President Donald Trump, marking a significant milestone as the bill advances in Congress.
To view recent revisions to the legislation as a PDF, click .
To view a fact sheet on the legislation as a PDF, click .
To view the updated bill text as a PDF, click .
To view the full list of supporters as a PDF, click .
Delegation News
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt Press Release – August 5, 2026
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), joined by U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and U.S. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV), introduced the Emerging Tick-Borne Livestock Disease Research Prioritization Act, which statutorily designates tick-borne livestock disease as a high-priority research area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill authorizes USDA to make competitive grants within pre-existing research programs aimed at developing vaccines, therapeutics, and treatments for tick-borne livestock disease. Specifically, the bill targets diseases associated with the Asian Longhorned Tick, several of which lack an approved vaccine or treatment.
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt Press Release – July 31, 2026
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) issued a statement after working with Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to secure the support of the SEC and Big Ten on Friday evening for the Protect College Sports Act. Their support comes after weeks of negotiations between the senators and the major conferences. Senator Schmitt is an original co-sponsor of the Protect College Sports Act. In June, Schmitt discussed Congress’ role in saving college sports and cheered the bill’s passage out of the Senate Commerce Committee.
ÑÇÖÞÓ°Ôº Primary Election Results – Federal Delegation
ÑÇÖÞӰԺ’s congressional primaries produced few surprises. The full November general election slate is listed below.
U.S. House District 1
- Republican: Paul Berry III
- Democrat: Wesley Bell
U.S. House District 2
- Republican: Ann Wagner
- Democrat: Fred Wellman
U.S. House District 3
- Republican: Bob Onder
- Democrat: Bethany Mann
U.S. House District 4
- Republican: Mark Alford
- Democrat: Jordan Herrera
U.S. House District 5
- Republican: Rick Brattin
- Democrat: Emanuel Cleaver
U.S. House District 6
- Republican: Chris Stigall
- Democrat: Josh Smead
U.S. House District 7
- Republican: Eric Burlison
- Democrat: Missi Hesketh
U.S. House District 8
- Republican: Jason Smith