Recent Federal Actions
- White House: Keeping Education Accessible and Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates in Schools
- White House: Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending
- White House: Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization
- White House: Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies
- White House: Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy
- White House: Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Regulatory Initiative
- White House: Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Cuts Over $600 Million in Divisive Teacher Training Grants
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Cancels Divisive and Wasteful Grants under the Comprehensive Centers Program
- Department of Education: U.S. Department of Education Updates Guidance on COVID-19 Funding
Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter
On February 14, 2025, the Department of Education released a Dear Colleague Letter that looks to “clarify and reaffirm the nondiscrimination obligations of schools and other entities that receive federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Education.” If interested, you can read more via the Department’s press release, which provides additional information on the letter. The Universities of Wisconsin continue to review the guidance.
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Update
On February 20, 2025, the Senate HELP Committee voted via a vote of 12-11 to favorably report Linda McMahon’s nomination to serve as the Secretary of Education. Her nomination now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
If interested, you can watch Ms. McMahon’s confirmation hearing, which occurred on February 13, 20205 and is archived on the Senate HELP Committee website.
Political Activity Guidance
As uncertainty continues around the emerging federal landscape and another election season nears, employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.
For more information, you can read the Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.
Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to your university’s Office of Legal Affairs or the Universities of Wisconsin Office of General Counsel.