blog posts

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 11.16.2018

  Nov 16, 2018 1:15 pm0 views

  Beginning in January, there will be three new faces in the Illinois delegation.

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 10.15.2018

  Oct 15, 2018 1:15 pm0 views

  Congress has now approved, and the president has signed into law, five fiscal year (FY) 2019 appropriations bills, including funding for the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Education, as well as the National Institutes of Health. When Congress returns in mid-November for a lame-duck session, it will consider the remaining seven bills, which would replace funding now set to expire on December 7. While the FY2019 appropriations process has gone smoothly so far, a fight over border wall funding could derail the process.

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 09.28.2018

  Sep 28, 2018 12:00 pm0 views

  Congress successfully beat the clock this week in wrapping up two more fiscal year 2019 appropriations bills and avoiding a partial government shutdown. Early Friday, President Trump signed into law legislation providing full-year funding for...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 09.14.2018

  Sep 14, 2018 2:30 pm0 views

  Congress sent a final Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 spending bill to the President this week which funds the departments of Energy and Veterans Affairs, the Army Corps of Engineers and the operations of Congress. The three-bill minibus ensures that at least some agencies will receive full FY2019 funding before the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1.

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 07.27.2018

  Jul 27, 2018 2:30 pm0 views

  The House broke for its month-long August recess yesterday. As previously reported, the Senate has cancelled the majority of its recess to complete work on confirmations and appropriations. Below is a quick update on Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 appropriations and some highlights of the U of I System's recent engagement activities in the nation's capital...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 06.08.2018

  Jun 8, 2018 4:30 pm0 views

  Both chambers of Congress have been making progress on their respective appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2019. Just this week...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 05.11.2018

  May 11, 2018 4:30 pm0 views

  The Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 appropriations process is in full swing and several funding bills were approved this week by their respective subcommittees. Specifically...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter 04.13.2018

  Apr 13, 2018 4:15 pm0 views

  Congress returned to DC this week after a two-week recess. Although national attention was focused primarily on Facebook...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter 04.06.2018

  Apr 6, 2018 4:15 pm0 views

  The Office of Governmental Relations (OGR) has uploaded all of the University of Illinois System's Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations requests to the federal webpage...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter 03.23.2018

  Mar 23, 2018 4:15 pm0 views

  Congressional leaders released a $1.3 trillion FY2018 omnibus spending bill on March 21. Research and education fared...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 3.16.2018

  Mar 16, 2018 4:15 pm0 views

  While Congress continues to work on a final appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2018, the appropriations process for FY2019 has already begun...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 1.30.2018

  Jan 30, 2018 4:15 pm0 views

  The federal government briefly shut down after funding for fiscal year 2018 (FY18) ran out at midnight on Friday, January 19...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 12.22.2017

  Dec 22, 2017 4:15 pm0 views

  As Congress worked to enact tax reform legislation, OGR and the entire U of I System worked to ensure that the voices...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 11.3.2017

  Nov 3, 2017 4:15 pm0 views

  Yesterday, House Republicans unveiled their long-anticipated tax reform bill. Below are the most noteworthy provisions that relate to higher education...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 10.6.2017

  Oct 6, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  The University of Illinois System co-hosted a breakfast meeting with Sen. Dick Durbin this week with the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Francis Collins, and the Illinois Congressional delegation...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.1.2017

  Sep 1, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  The University of Illinois System leveraged a variety of opportunities throughout the August recess to interact with federal legislators...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 7.21.2017

  Jul 21, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  With August recess right around the corner, Republican leadership is hastening its pace to make progress on outstanding legislative items, particularly appropriations...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.30.2017

  Jun 30, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  Both the House and the Senate were in session this week. Members of Congress will be back in their districts next week for the July 4th recess...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.23.2017

  Jun 23, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  In this edition, we recap the latest actions on the budget and health care reform, provide an update on Congressional attention on campus free speech, and feature some U of I representatives who were in D.C...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.9.2017

  Jun 9, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  While much of the attention in Washington, D.C. this week revolved around the Senate hearing with former FBI Director James Comey, there were relevant budget hearings. This edition also features the University of Illinois System's recent engagement activities with legislators, both in D.C. and in Illinois...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 5.26.2017

  May 26, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  The Trump Administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget request on Tuesday. As expected, the request proposes a number of cuts to programs and accounts that are important to the research and higher ed communities. Our higher ed associations quickly expressed their concerns (APLU, AAU, The Science Coalition, AAAS) and the University of Illinois System signed onto a multi-organization letter expressing similar concerns...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 5.19.2017

  May 19, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  Both the House and Senate were in session this week. While the chapter for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 appropriations has finally closed, much work remains for FY 2018 appropriations, and very little time...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 4.7.2017

  Apr 7, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  After a relatively light legislative week, Congress will adjourn today for a two-week recess. Once members return the week of April 24, they will have a pressing item on their plate — they will need to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) for the remaining five months of FY 2017 since the current CR is set to expire on April 28...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 3.17.2017

  Mar 17, 2017 11:00 am0 views

  The Trump Administration released its budget blueprint for fiscal year (FY) 2018 on Thursday. The so-called "skinny" budget proposal provides broad, preliminary funding proposals for Cabinet-level departments and several other major agencies. Although it mostly provides top-line numbers, the blueprint provides an initial preview of the new Administration's priorities for federal programs...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 3.13.2017

  Mar 13, 2017 3:00 pm0 views

  Numerous University of Illinois leaders descended on Washington, D.C. last week for meetings on Capitol Hill and with key federal agencies.

  The Illinois congressional delegation—particularly Rep. Rodney Davis—devoted significant time and attention to the U of I ambassadors who were in town to advocate and strengthen partnerships...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 2.6.2017

  Feb 6, 2017 3:00 pm0 views

  Attention and debate last week centered around two primary topics — President Trump's recent executive order on immigration and Cabinet confirmations. Discussions surrounding both of these topics will spill into this week...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 1.23.2017

  Jan 23, 2017 3:00 pm0 views

  Another short but busy week lies ahead on Capitol Hill before Republicans head to Philadelphia for their annual joint retreat to strategize on their agenda for this session...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 1.9.2017

  Jan 9, 2017 3:00 pm0 views

  University of Illinois President Tim Killeen and Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones started off 2017 in Washington, D.C., traveling to the nation's capital early last week to welcome new and returning members of Congress during Congressional swearing-in activities..

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 11.18.2016

  Nov 18, 2016 3:00 pm0 views

  Members of Congress returned to Washington this week to kick off the post-election lame-duck session. This edition provides some updates and key takeaways surrounding the 115th Congress, while providing a glimpse at the new Illinois Congressional delegation...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 10.28.2016

  Oct 28, 2016 3:00 pm0 views

  With 10 days left before the election, significant changes are right around the corner. Our next edition will have a recap of the election results...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 10.7.2016

  Oct 7, 2016 3:00 pm0 views

  Following a compressed September session, Congress is back in recess again until after the November 8 election. Before leaving Washington, Congress approved a Continuing Resolution to avert a shutdown and fund government operations through early December...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.23.2016

  Sep 23, 2016 3:00 pm0 views

  Over the past week, the University of Illinois (U of I) System hosted three successful events involving high-ranking officials from the National Science Foundation (NSF), each with a different backdrop—the Urbana-Champaign campus, the Chicago campus, and Washington, DC...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.2.2016

  Sep 2, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  With Labor Day weekend upon us, Congress' seven-week summer recess is quickly coming to a close. All U.S. Senators and Representatives will return to DC next Tuesday for a short session before the election. Throughout the extended district work period, the University of Illinois (U of I) seized various opportunities to interface with legislators...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 7.15.2016

  Jul 15, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  Congress has officially adjourned for its seven-week summer recess. Before heading back to their districts, lawmakers wrapped things up with some appropriations work and other legislative matters..

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.24.2016

  Jun 24, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  In this edition, several higher education bills are queued up for floor consideration, President Killeen speaks with our Illinois in Washington internship program, and UIS hosts its annual DC alumni event...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.10.2016

  Jun 10, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  In this edition, Senate appropriators move forward a historically contentious funding bill, Sen. Durbin stands up for DOD-funded medical research, and UIC introduces its new leaders in DC...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 4.29.2016

  Apr 29, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  In this week's edition, efforts to enact campus sexual assault legislation are revived, UIC advocates for NSF on the Hill, and Rep. Hultgren visits Urbana's College of Engineering...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 4.15.2016

  Apr 15, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  Things are in full swing this spring—the past few weeks have involved a successful alumni association board meeting in DC, advocacy on the Hill, a campus visit by DHS dignitaries, and positive grant news. Meanwhile, federal appropriations bills are inching along...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 4.4.2016

  Apr 4, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  Although there has been little movement lately on appropriations, there have been some positive developments relating to regulatory relief for institutions of higher education...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 3.18.2016

  Mar 15, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  As Congressional committees continued holding budget hearings, more top officials from federal agencies made their way to the Hill this week to testify before Members of Congress about their respective budgets...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 3.4.2016

  Mar 4, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  We're now in the thick of appropriations season. Both on the House and Senate side, committees held budget hearings this week to gear up for Fiscal Year 2017...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 1.29.2016

  Jan 29, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  Although this week was a bit quieter due to the aftermath of last weekend's major snow storm, the past few weeks have been busy here in DC with the kick off of the 2nd session of the 114th Congress and activity prompted by the President's State of the Union Address...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 10.30.2015

  Oct 30, 2015 3:45 pm0 views

  This was a momentous week on Capitol Hill. The House of Representatives elected Wisconsin Congressman and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan to serve as its new speaker and Congress passed a two-year budget agreement...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 10.16.2015

  Oct 16, 2015 3:45 pm0 views

  With so much still up in the air for House Republican leadership races, negotiations surrounding the federal budget situation seem to be on the backburner...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 10.2.2015

  Oct 2, 2015 3:45 pm0 views

  Earlier this week, Congress acted just in time to prevent a government shutdown. The University of Illinois had significant representation on Capitol Hill from two of its campuses: UIC Chancellor Amiridis visited the Illinois Congressional delegation and one of Urbana's deans testified before a House subcommittee...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.28.2015

  Sep 28, 2015 3:30 pm0 views

  Following Pope Francis' historic visit to DC and address to Congress, breaking news erupted Friday morning that has since set the city spinning...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.11.2015

  Sep 11, 2015 3:30 pm0 views

  Congress returned from its month-long recess this week, and members immediately entered into a contentious debate over the Iran nuclear agreement...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 8.21.2015

  Aug 21, 2015 3:30 pm1 views

  With Congress in recess and Members back in their districts, University of Illinois campuses are seizing opportunities to meet with federal officials and host events...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 8.3.2015

  Aug 3, 2015 3:30 pm0 views

  After a short but packed week that included passage of a three-month authorization for federal highway and transit programs, the House officially adjourned for August recess last Wednesday night. The Senate will soon follow in the House's footsteps after wrapping up final votes this week...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter- 7.17.2015

  Jul 17, 2015 3:30 pm3 views

  The University of Illinois was all over DC this week, as UI President Tim Killeen led 10 deans, associate chancellors, and other rising leaders from Chicago, Urbana, and Springfield to the nation's capital as part of a President's Executive Leadership Program. The program's DC seminar is designed to provide these senior level, campus-based administrators with greater exposure to federal issues and the federal policymaking process. They spent two full days meeting with the heads of national associations, top officials at federal agencies, the Illinois delegation, and local alumni...