Dear Colleagues,

Please find a federal government update from our teams.

President Signs Government Funding Patch
The President signed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (H.R. 6500) on Sept. 2, stopgap legislation that funds the federal government at current levels through Dec. 11. Absent a funding stopgap measure or new Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bills, federal funding would have lapsed at midnight on Sept. 30.

The House passed the funding measure on Sept. 1 by a vote of 370-48. The Senate advanced the legislation on Aug. 8 by a vote of 90-6. All members of the Colorado congressional delegation voted favorably. Notably, the bill prevents the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from finalizing proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance -- which would significantly change the federal grantmaking process -- for the duration of the continuing resolution. All four CU campuses submitted public comments on OMB’s proposal in July.

White House Creates U.S. Space Academy
The White House issued a proclamation on Aug. 28 entitled “Establishing the United States Space Academy,” which seeks to create a pipeline of highly trained space talent for government and the commercial space sector. The initiative is designed to “strengthen the nation’s space workforce and develop the next generation of space leaders,” reports the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which will oversee the effort.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will chair a new Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy, which will send recommendations to the President within 120 days. Specifically, the commission will address governance structure, service obligations, physical location of the academy, legislative requirements and other issues.

States Support Lawsuit Challenging DHS Rule Ending Duration of Status
A coalition of states, including Colorado, filed an amicus brief on Aug. 25 in support of a lawsuit led by NAFSA challenging new federal regulations that end duration of status admissions for student and exchange visitors starting Sept. 15. The states argue the rule will discourage prospective F and J visa holders from participating in U.S academic programs, limit the range of academic programs and resources states can offer and cause economic harm. AAU and AAMC also contributed an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit. CU’s campuses submitted comments urging DHS to rescind the policy last fall.

DOJ Sues Four More States Over in-State Tuition for Undocumented Students
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Aug. 27 that it is suing Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington over state laws granting in-state tuition for undocumented students. The DOJ has now sued 21 states over similar policies, including Colorado.

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