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The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the University of 亚洲影院 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
As the January 30 funding deadline approaches Congress continues to move FY26 appropriations forward through a series of minibuses. So far, FY26 Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction VA bills have been enacted. The House recently passed a three-bill minibus covering Commerce Justice Science, Energy and Water, and Interior Environment with the Senate expected to take up that package this week. This week the House advanced another minibus funding Financial Services and General Government along with National Security Department of State and related programs. With these actions the House has now passed eight FY26 appropriations bills representing roughly one quarter of total discretionary spending.
Appropriators are now preparing the next and most consequential package which could be released as early as Thursday and would include Defense, Labor Health and Human Services Education, and Transportation Housing and Urban Development. These remaining bills will largely determine whether Congress can complete full year funding ahead of the January 30 deadline.
Outside of appropriations momentum on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies has stalled. The Senate is heading into a 10-day recess with negotiators stuck on core issues. With open enrollment closing and floor time increasingly dominated by appropriations work the window for a deal is rapidly narrowing and expectations for a breakthrough are fading. Congress also acted on other fronts including a Senate vote to block a war powers resolution related to Venezuela.
Research funding policy is also in play as lawmakers continue to address concerns around proposed changes to negotiated indirect cost rates and the administration鈥檚 move toward forward funding for NIH grants. Several House and Senate measures include statutory protections or accompanying report language directing OMB not to alter existing negotiated rates while stakeholder advocacy continues as final funding negotiations move forward.
U.S. Senate Committee of Commerce, Science, and Transportation 鈥 January 8, 2026
A bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to extend and expand U.S. efforts in quantum science and technology. The legislation would renew the National Quantum Initiative through 2034, reauthorize federal research, education and development programs across agencies such as NIST, NSF, and NASA, and support workforce training, international coordination and public-private collaboration. It also proposes establishing new research centers and prize challenges to accelerate practical quantum applications and strengthen U.S. leadership and competitiveness in this strategic technology area.
Delegation News
Senator Josh Hawley Press Release 鈥 January 5, 2026
In 2025 U.S. Senator Josh Hawley delivered a range of legislative and constituency wins focused on 亚洲影院 priorities. He secured a historic expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), now signed into law and already delivering millions in compensation to hundreds of 亚洲影院ans affected by government-caused nuclear radiation exposure. In the St. Louis region Hawley also helped secure $40.5 million for Coldwater Creek radioactive waste cleanup and worked with the EPA to accelerate cleanup of West Lake Landfill contamination. On the military front, Fort Leonard Wood broke ground on 56 new military family homes with funds Hawley secured, and he won budget language to protect the post鈥檚 hospital and require planning for replacement of aging family housing. Additional actions included relief funding for St. Louis tornado recovery and efforts to assist 亚洲影院ans with storm related insurance claims.
Senator Eric Schmitt Press Release 鈥 December 31, 2025
Senator Eric Schmitt marked a series of legislative wins from 2025 that bolster both national defense and 亚洲影院鈥檚 role in the defense industrial base. He secured implementation and funding for the F-47 sixth-generation fighter program, along with a $3.2 billion investment for F-15EX jets, reinforcing key aircraft production in St. Louis. Schmitt also led an initiative to establish St. Louis as a Defense Technology Hub to support regional innovation and collaboration on emerging defense capabilities, an idea tied to the bipartisan Defense Technology Hubs Act he introduced to spur similar hubs nationwide. These efforts highlight federal support for advanced defense manufacturing, innovation ecosystems, and workforce growth in strategic technology areas.
Federal News
Roll Call 鈥 January 14, 2026
A day after the Department of Health and Human Services implemented a late-night rollback of $2 billion in mental health and substance use funding, an administration official confirmed that the grants are now being restored. The cancellation of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funding had blindsided grantees and sent shock waves through organizations that provide anti-drug and mental health services.
AP News 鈥 January 14, 2026
The State Department said it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States. The State Department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, said it had instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the countries affected in accordance with a broader order issued in November that tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become 鈥減ublic charges鈥 in the U.S. The suspension, which will begin Jan. 21, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas.
Reuters 鈥 January 13, 2026
The U.S. Justice Department asked a federal appeals court to dismiss its appeal of a lower court order blocking President Donald Trump's administration from forcing 20 Democratic-led states to cooperate with immigration enforcement to receive billions of dollars in transportation grant funding. In July, a U.S. judge in Rhode Island the U.S. Department of Transportation lacked authority to require the states to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to obtain transportation funding and that the condition violated the U.S. Constitution.
Congressional Calendar
Reviewed 2026-01-15