Good afternoon,
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
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a hearing next Thursday on how Congress can reform college athletics to better protect students and ensure they have opportunities to succeed. As Chairman of the HELP Committee, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) is leading efforts. Last week, Cassidy led a roundtable discussion with U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Jon Husted (R-OH), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and expert panelists. Cassidy also is requesting information from stakeholders on how Congress can address issues.
House Appropriations – Member Days
The House Committee on Appropriations announced, “Member Days” and other hearings for the week of March 23.
Senate Appropriations – Guidance and Deadlines
The Senate Committee on Appropriations released its FY27 member request guidance and deadlines. Agricultural appropriations programmatic requests due April 14th and defense programmatic requests due May 12.
Delegation News
Senator Eric Schmitt – March 13, 2026
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) introduced legislation to extend and increase authorized funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Policy Research Centers program, which houses the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Center (FAPRI-MU).
Federal News
President Donald J. Trump Unveils National AI Legislative Framework
The White House – March 20, 2026
The White House has released a national policy framework for artificial intelligence aimed at establishing a single federal approach to AI governance and strengthening U.S. competitiveness. The framework calls on Congress to avoid a patchwork of state laws and instead adopt a consistent national standard that promotes innovation while addressing key concerns. Priority areas include protecting children online and empowering parents, supporting American communities and energy infrastructure, safeguarding intellectual property while enabling AI development, protecting free speech, reducing regulatory barriers to accelerate innovation, and investing in workforce development. The Administration has already taken executive actions in several of these areas and is now urging Congress to enact lasting legislation to ensure the United States remains a global leader in AI. AI Framework here.
NIH Director Promises to Speed Up Grantmaking
AIP – March 18, 2026
The National Institutes of Health has been slow to distribute grants this year, but Director Jay Bhattacharya assured House appropriators in an oversight hearing yesterday that the agency will have no problem spending all of its appropriated funds before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. NIH is reportedly lagging far behind in awarding grants this year compared to 2021-2024, and the amount of funding it has distributed is also much less than usual. In part, this is because the White House Office of Management and Budget has been slow to authorize the release of the agency’s funding, but reductions in NIH staff and changes in funding strategy by the agency may also be contributing to delays.
Ronald Reagan Institute – National Security Innovation Base Report Card
The Ronald Reagan Institute released its 2026 National Security Innovation Base Report Card, assessing the health and effectiveness of the U.S. defense innovation ecosystem across key areas such as modernization, talent, manufacturing, and government alignment. The report finds that while the United States maintains strong resources and pockets of technological advancement, progress in defense modernization remains slow and significant vulnerabilities persist, particularly in workforce capacity and system inefficiencies. It highlights improving clarity in defense demand signals but warns that talent shortages and structural barriers continue to hinder innovation. The report offers a series of policy recommendations to accelerate technology adoption, strengthen the industrial base, and ensure the United States maintains its competitive edge against global adversaries.
Golden Dome cost estimate grows to $185B
The Hill – March 18, 2026
Space Force General Michael Guetlein estimated the Golden Dome missile defense system will cost some $185 billion as the U.S. looks to “accelerate some space capabilities,” up nearly 50 percent from initial estimates. President Trump originally slated $125 billion for the state-of-the-art defense system, inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, and Congress has already approved $25 billion for the project. Nine companies, including Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop Grumman, AeroVironment, Palantir, Firefly Aerospace, Anduril and Blue Origin, are involved in the project so far.
Trump gives second wind to reforming college sports regulation
The Hill – March 16, 2026
An effort to regulate the big business of college sports is receiving a second burst of energy on Capitol Hill thanks to President Trump’s insistence that more be done to curb what many regard as an intercollegiate athletics ecosystem run amok. The president’s desire to see major change in the way the NCAA and its top member schools operate was evident last week during a White House task force meeting comprised of top executives and coaches from around college and pro sports. The goal of the working group, the White House says, was to strategize a clearer path forward on controversial issues like eligibility; revenue sharing; and caps on name, image and likeness (NIL) deals for student-athletes, moves that taken together would “save” college sports.
Congressional Calendar
Reviewed 2026-03-20