Good afternoon,
The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the 91Ď㽶¶ĚĘÓƵ System regarding the federal government and higher education. We have put together a list of news articles that will keep you informed of the actions taken by the executive, legislative, and judicial branch of government. These articles are meant to be informative and are not a reflection of the views or stance of the system regarding these issues.
If you would like more information regarding any of the stories we share, or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact Dusty Schnieders schniedersd@umsystem.edu and/or Emily Lucas el59bz@umsystem.edu.
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Capitol Hill News
The federal government entered a shutdown on October 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. ET after Congress and the White House were unable to agree on a continuing resolution. Non-essential federal operations are affected. Helpful resources for institutions:
- AAMC guidance on anticipated impacts:
- White House OMB agency contingency plans:
- OMB FAQs on government shutdowns:
Military.com – October 15, 2025
To keep military paychecks flowing during the government shutdown, the Pentagon tapped roughly $8 billion in unspent RDT&E (research, development, test & evaluation) funds originally appropriated for fiscal year 2025. Because RDT&E funds remain available for two fiscal years, the Department of Defense considered the funds "unobligated" and thus eligible for temporary use. While this move ensured troops were paid, it diverts money from innovation pipelines—university-affiliated research, advanced prototypes, SBIR/Small Business grants, and lab efforts may see delays or interruptions. The legality is murky: critics warn of potential violation of the Antideficiency Act and the “purpose statute,” both of which restrict spending outside congressional intent. Supporters argue the funds remain in their appropriation window and claim exigency justifies the shift. Either way, this maneuver could set a contentious precedent, pitting near-term fiscal relief against long-term R&D disruption.
Federal News Network – October 10, 2025
The Senate passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act in a 77–20 vote despite an ongoing partial government shutdown. The bill authorizes $32 billion more than the White House’s defense budget request and includes provisions focused on technology competition with China, defense acquisition reform, and support for veterans’ healthcare access. Rejected amendments sought to restrict military involvement in civilian law enforcement and redirect defense spending to veterans’ benefits. The House and Senate must now reconcile major differences between their versions, with negotiations expected to be shaped by ongoing fiscal pressures and the shutdown’s political fallout.
The Missouri Times – October 13, 2025
Senator Eric Schmitt announced several key Missouri priorities included in the Senate-passed Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, featuring direct funding for the 91Ď㽶¶ĚĘÓƵ System. The bill provides $5 million for the 91Ď㽶¶ĚĘÓƵ’s research to support microreactor program. It also includes $5 million for the 91Ď㽶¶ĚĘÓƵ–St. Louis to expand geospatial workforce development, bolstering the region’s role as a national hub for geospatial intelligence and supporting workforce training tied to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) West. These targeted investments highlight Missouri’s growing role in defense-related research and innovation and reflect Sen. Schmitt’s efforts to secure strategic wins for the state’s universities in the FY26 defense package.
The Hill – October 15, 2025
The fight over enhanced premium tax credits for the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) marketplace drags on in Congress as crucial deadlines draw near and certain groups stand to be hit the hardest if an agreement to extend the subsidies doesn’t materialize. Estimates of how many will be impacted by expiring tax credits have ranged from 3 million to more than 4 million enrollees.
Federal News
The Hill – October 15, 2025
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston sided with government employee unions in temporarily barring the administration from carrying out the reductions in force that were expected to impact more than 4,000 workers. Her order directs the Trump administration not to issue any new RIF notices or take any steps to implement the notices.
Higher Ed Dive – October 14, 2025
So far, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense have all sought to limit reimbursement for colleges’ indirect research costs to 15%. All of the proposed policies have thus far been blocked by courts. However, some of these moves are under appeal, meaning the future is uncertain for this funding source.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources – October 15, 2025
Federal executive orders have shifted the nation’s energy policy focus to a reliable, diversified and affordable energy supply to drive manufacturing, transportation, agriculture and defense industries, and to sustain the basics of modern life and military preparedness. The department intends to develop a new energy plan to serve as the roadmap for state energy policy that positions Missouri to support economic growth and address emerging challenges, such as the rising demand from data centers. To view the request for proposals, visit .
Inside Higher Ed – October 15, 2025
Facing the possibility that more colleges could reject its wide-ranging deal, the Trump administration opened up the offer to more institutions. Whether any will sign is unclear. The initial universities received signed letters and a copy of the agreement as part of the invitation to provide feedback. For the rest of higher ed, the invite arrived via the 326-word Truth Social post with no information about how a university could sign on—but a threat of federal investigations if they didn’t. On Sunday, President Trump told his 10 million followers on Truth Social that, “tragically,” higher education in this country has lost its way, and he touted his administration’s efforts to fix it.
2025 Congressional Calendar
Tentative 2025 congressional calendar, subject to change.
Reviewed 2025-10-17