Dear Colleagues, 

Please find a federal government update from our teams.

Federal Government Shutdown
The federal government remains closed. This week, the shutdown became the longest in U.S. history. Federal agencies and programs have been closed for 38 consecutive days. Over 670,000 federal workers are furloughed, and 730,000 are working without pay, reports the Bipartisan Policy Center.

This week, the U.S. Senate continued its streak of voting down House-passed legislation (H.R. 5371) to fund federal agencies through Nov. 21. Senators have voted against the measure fourteen times since Sept. 19. Meanwhile, Republican Senators say they will hold a vote regarding a three-bill minibus to fund select federal programs on Nov.7, including the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, the Food and Drug Administration and legislative branch operations supporting activities in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate, Capitol Police, the Library of Congress and more, for the remainder of the fiscal year. The package would also temporarily extend current funding for all other federal agencies and programs, reports Politico. At the time of this update, it is unclear whether there is sufficient bipartisan support to advance the package.

Meanwhile, the impacts of the six-week shutdown are increasing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will resume full food assistance payments as soon as today for November, under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as required by a federal judge on Nov. 6 reports NBC News. The U.S. Department of Transportation will reduce air traffic starting today due to staffing shortages, reports ABC News. Denver International Airport, which is the third busiest airport in the country, is among 40 “high-volume markets” slated for 10 percent flight reductions, reports CPR.

CU Leadership and Federal Relations continue to monitor the shutdown and its impact on our campuses and local communities. 

States File PSLF Lawsuit
Colorado joined 21 states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit on Nov. 3 challenging a final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Education, which would disqualify employers found to serve a “substantial illegal purpose” from eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). A second lawsuit led by the National Council of Nonprofits was also filed on Nov. 3. The lawsuits challenge the administration’s definition of “illegal activities,” which include support for immigrants, gender affirming care, political protest, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. They also contend the administration lacks legal authority to “create exceptions to PSLF eligibility.”  The new rule, announced on Oct. 30, is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. The plaintiffs are asking the courts to vacate the Department’s rule under the Administrative Procedure Act.

CU Comments on Proposed SEVIS Data Collection Changes
CU’s four campuses each submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Nov. 3 in response to a proposed rule published to the Federal Register on Sep. 3 which seeks to expand the data collected on Form I-17 (for schools) and Form I-20 (for F-1 and M-1 international students) through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

The proposed rule would require schools to provide additional information on their educational programming and the number of students participating in those programs. The Form I-20 changes would include contact information for minor students, date of graduation, financial aid information, and additional information on the student’s education and employment. CU’s comments, which urge DHS to revise the proposed rule, are available here: CU Anschutz, CU Boulder, CU Denver, UCCS.

The Federal Relations and General Counsel teams are actively monitoring developments at the federal level. We are working closely with the President and Chancellors, as well as the Colorado congressional delegation, to champion CU priorities. We are committed to keeping you informed. Please visit the CU System Federal Updates and Actions page for up-to-date communications and federal memos.    

Danielle Radovich Piper, Sr. VP External Relations and Strategy
Kerry Tipper, Vice President, University Counsel