The document provides a detailed overview of recent federal actions affecting the regulatory and budgetary landscape in the United States, with particular implications for higher education and research and development (R&D). Moderated by Wendy Streitz of COGR and featuring expert panelists from AAAS, AAU, and ACE, the discussion examines the types of regulatory actions commonly used by presidential administrations—such as executive orders, policy memorandums, and interim rules—and highlights the high volume of executive actions during the Trump administration compared to prior presidencies. The presentation notes that many Trump-era regulations became entangled in legal challenges. In contrast, early steps by the Biden administration included issuing a regulatory freeze, rescinding controversial rules, and advancing measures to strengthen scientific integrity, promote racial equity, and reverse discriminatory policies.
Additionally, the session addresses the complexities of altering or rescinding finalized rules, mentioning that mechanisms like the Congressional Review Act are seldom used, so most changes require new rulemaking or may be resolved through court decisions. Key unresolved issues highlighted for the higher education sector include Title IX regulations and international reporting requirements. On the budget front, Matt Hourihan outlines critical upcoming events, such as the COVID-19 relief package, anticipated release of the Biden administration’s budget, congressional negotiations on spending priorities, and the looming debt ceiling. The overall tone underlines significant ongoing uncertainty and evolving priorities in federal policy and funding for education and research institutions.
