Good evening,
The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the University of Missouri 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
SCORE Act pulled from House floor after CBC opposition
The Hill – May 19. 2026
The SCORE Act, a major piece of legislation aimed at creating new national standards for college sports on issues such as revenue sharing, athlete compensation, and limited antitrust protections for the NCAA, was pulled from the House floor vote this week. This marks the second time in less than a year that the bill has failed to advance in the House, as lawmakers from both parties continue to raise concerns over its impact on college athletics and athlete rights. Opposition intensified this week after the Congressional Black Caucus announced it would not support the legislation, arguing that the bill would benefit major athletic institutions while those same institutions remain silent on efforts affecting Black voting rights and political power across the South.
FY27 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee Markup
House Appropriations – May 21, 2026
This week, the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee met to consider its Fiscal Year 2027 bill. The measure was approved by the Subcommittee.
A summary of the bill is available here.(PDF)
Bill text is available here.(PDF)
A table of included Community Project Funding requests is available here.(PDF)
Missouri News
Missouri governor and Google announce $15 billion data center in Montgomery County
St. Louis Public Radio – May 21, 2026
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on Wednesday afternoon announced Google will invest $15 billion into a data center in Montgomery County. This is the second data center under construction in the county, the other operated by Amazon. Kehoe championed the investment in a news release, but these developments have received mixed feedback from Montgomery County residents.
Foreign Policy Journal – May 19, 2026
Vice President JD Vance visited Milbank Manufacturing Company in Kansas City as part of the Trump administration’s “Protecting American Workers” series, using the stop to highlight American manufacturing, domestic production, and policies aimed at supporting factory workers. Speaking at the nearly century old manufacturer, Vance framed Milbank as an example of long standing industrial strength in Missouri and argued that the administration is focused on reinvesting in manufacturers, bringing production back to the United States, and strengthening jobs tied to power distribution equipment, utilities, contractors, and industrial customers. The message was clear, American manufacturing is a national priority, positioning Missouri workers and companies as part of that effort.
Congressman Bob Onder – May 20, 2026
Congressman Bob Onder and Congressman Chris Deluzio led a bipartisan push calling for stronger federal oversight of Missouri River and inland waterway management, urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to establish an Inland Navigation Construction Organization to improve coordination, accountability, and delivery of major water infrastructure projects. America’s inland waterways are a major economic and strategic advantage, but current management lacks the centralized oversight needed to keep projects on schedule, protect federal investments, and support navigation, agriculture, freight movement, and regional economic growth. For Missouri, this effort positions river infrastructure as both an economic competitiveness issue and a federal accountability issue, with Onder and Deluzio emphasizing that better oversight can strengthen project delivery without removing local input or congressional control over appropriations.
Alford Priorities Pass Appropriations Committee in FY27 Energy & Water Development Funding Bill
Congressman Mark Alford Press Release – May 20, 2026
Congressman Mark Alford announced that several of his Fourth District priorities were included in the FY27 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee. Alford framed the bill around strengthening national security, advancing American energy dominance, supporting rural America, restoring full funding for Army Corps of Engineers water projects, and cutting what he described as wasteful Biden era programs. His specific priorities include support for the Kansas City National Security Campus expansion through the KC NExT project, which would add two million square feet of office and manufacturing space to increase capacity for non nuclear components of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, as well as nuclear workforce training tied to registered apprenticeships, increased funding for domestic boron and isotope production, protections for Second Amendment rights at certain water development sites like Truman Reservoir, and expanded cybersecurity funding to protect energy infrastructure from cyber risks and disruptions.
Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure – May 17, 2026
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and the Committee’s Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) released the text of a bipartisan, five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that invests in America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs. The BUILD America 250 Act – Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act – emphasizes moving people, goods, and freight safely and efficiently across the country. The bill provides the largest ever investment in America’s bridges, focuses on proven surface transportation infrastructure programs, provides passenger rail investments and reforms, improves rail safety, ensures that transportation projects and programs are more efficient, encourages innovation, and provides the first ever autonomous commercial motor vehicle framework. The bill also strengthens the Highway Trust Fund by ensuring all highway users pay their share for the use and improvement of the nation’s roads. As a result, the BUILD America 250 Act injects the Highway Trust Fund with its first new stream of revenue for infrastructure in over three decades.
Congressional Calendar
House Appropriations Committee Releases FY27 Markup Schedule
On Monday, the House Committee on Appropriations Chair Tom Cole released the markup schedule for FY2027 appropriations bills.
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
- Full Committee Markup at 10am on Wednesday, June 3
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Bill
- Subcommittee Markup at 8am on Friday, June 5
- Full Committee Markup at 11am on Tuesday, June 9
Defense
- Subcommittee Markup at 9am on Thursday, June 11 (Classified)
- Full Committee Markup at 11am on Wednesday, June 24