CU Federal Government Transition Updates Page

As a reminder, CU Federal Relations has created a Federal Government Transition Updates page to provide access to communications and information regarding the ongoing federal transition, recent executive orders, and their ongoing impact on CU.

In addition, CU Federal Relations will be providing occasional updates on federal legislation and the appropriations process. These updates can be found on the Federal Legislation and Appropriations page.
 

Reconciliation Update

The House passed its reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1) on May 22. The bill, which passed by a 215-214-1 vote, advanced to the Senate, where significant revisions are anticipated. The national higher education associations, including ACE, AAU, and APLU oppose provisions in the House-passed legislation, including proposed changes to student aid programs and a new program requiring annual risk-sharing payments from universities. President Saliman and the Chancellors wrote to the Colorado congressional delegation to highlight CU’s views on the legislation and anticipated impacts to CU.

The Senate committees began releasing their reconciliation text this week. Majority Leader Thune’s goal is to pass the legislation before the July 4 recess, although many expect the timeline to slip past that date.

CU Leadership Outreach to CO Delegation Regarding Reconciliation
CU leadership sent letters to the Colorado congressional delegation concerning the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The letters, which were signed by President Saliman and Chancellors Elliman, Sobanet, Schwartz, and Christensen, expressed concerns with several provisions of the bill

The House letter was sent to Reps. DeGette, Neguse, Hurd, Boebert, Crank, Crow, Pettersen, and Evans on May 21 in advance of the floor vote. The Senate letter was sent to Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper on May 27, after the House advanced the bill.
 

Colorado Research Universities Joint Advocacy to the Delegation on F&A

The University of Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, University of Denver, and the University of Northern Colorado teamed up on a letter to the Colorado congressional delegation to advocate on behalf of research being done at our universities and the important role that facility and administrative (F&A) costs play in our ability to conduct world class research on behalf of all Americans.
 

CU Campus Advocacy Letters

CU Federal Relations has created a Community Letters page that contains advocacy letters CU campuses and campus leadership have joined.

Recent letters include:

• CU Anschutz Medical Campus signed onto letters from the Defense Health Research Consortium on May 19 urging Congressional appropriations leaders (House and Senate) to continue support for Congressional Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense (DoD).
• CU Boulder and CU Denver signed letters on April 30 urging Congressional appropriations leaders (House and Senate) to continue support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Science and Technology (S&T) account.
• CU Boulder also recently signed a pair of letters in support of the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy and the National Science Foundation.

CU in DC Science Policy Class Visits CU Federal Relations

CU Federal Relations hosted CU in DC’s Global Seminar on Science Policy on May 13. The three-week Maymester course allows CU students to learn about science policy in our nation’s capital.  The course is led by Dr. Joe Pesce, program director at the National Science Foundation. Heather Bené, Associate Vice President of Research and Federal Policy, discussed the legislative process and the role the Federal Relations office plays in advancing federal science policy. 

Presidential Budget Request Update

The White House released a detailed version of the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Discretionary Budget Request to Congress on May 30. The budget request provides insight into the administration’s priorities and begins the federal appropriations process for the fiscal year that starts on October 1. The request boosts defense funding by 13 percent but reduces non-defense discretionary programs by 22 percent. The request seeks to consolidate federal programs and enact substantial cuts – as well as elimination – of many student aid, education, and science and technology programs. The budget does seek to sustain current research funding in the areas of artificial intelligence and quantum science. The request does not have the force of law. Appropriations bills must be drafted and passed by Congress and are subject to the Senate’s 60-vote threshold, necessitating bipartisan support for enactment. CU is actively participating in the federal funding process and championing university priorities with the Colorado congressional delegation, among other actions. More about the budget request can be read in CU’s Federal Update: Further Details on the President’s Proposed Discretionary Budget Request.
 

Dept. of Ed DCL Loan Payment

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) concerning college and university obligations towards struggling student loan borrowers on May 5. The letter urges institutions to ensure that more borrowers enter repayment and stay current on their loans. It also asks institutions to pass information to borrowers who are no longer enrolled as of Jan 1, 2020, for whom the institutions have contact information. This information is to be relayed by June 30, 2025.

Recent Capitol Hill Visits

Rafael Orozco, Director of TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS) and the TRIO McNair Scholars Program at CU Denver, met with staff from the offices of Sen. Bennet and Rep. Crank on May 14, to advocate for continued TRIO funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.  

Dr. Gregory Whiting, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at CU Boulder, participated in a congressional showcase hosted by the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) on May 13. The showcase was widely attended by congressional staff and featured remarks from National Science Board leadership. Dr. Whiting showcased research at CU Boulder funded by the National Science Foundation, including novel nutrient sensors manufactured for use in agriculture. He also highlighted university technologies spun out from his lab. Dr. Whiting also met with staff from the offices of Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper and Reps. Neguse and Hurd.

Dr. Gregory Whiting at the Coalition for National Science Funding's congressional showcase

CNSF