CU Federal Government Transition Updates Page
As a reminder, CU Federal Relations has created a Federal Government Transition Updates [3] page to provide access to communications and information regarding the ongoing federal transition, recent executive orders, and their ongoing implementation on the university’s mission and the people who work and learn on our campuses.

FY25 Appropriations and Reconciliation Update
On March 15, President Trump signed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) which ends on September 30. The Senate advanced the legislation on March 14, averting a government shutdown. More can be read at AP News [4].

Republican leaders from the House and Senate are currently working on resolving differences between their competing budget resolutions. Completion of the budget resolution is the first step in reconciliation, the main vehicle for President Trump’s budget agenda such as tax and health policy. More can be read at Politico [5].

Presidential Nominations and Confirmation Updates
The Senate confirmed [6] Dr. Marty Makary as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on March 25. Michael Kratsios was also confirmed [7] as the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on March 25.

The Senate Finance Committee voted along party lines to advance [8] the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz as the Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Studies (CMS) on March 25.

President Trump nominated [9] Susan Monarez as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 24. Monarez replaces Dr. Dave Weldon, whose nomination was withdrawn [10] by the President on March 13.

U.S. Department of Education Updates Regarding Federal Loans
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid announced [11] on March 26, the online applications for income-driven repayment (IDC) plans and loan consolidation applications had been reopened. The three income-based programs available include income- based repayment (IBC), pay as you earn (PAYE), and income-contingent repayment (ICR).  The application had been closed after the Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled on February 18, issuing an injunction preventing the department from implementing SAVE and other portions of other (IDR) plans.

Sen. Hickenlooper Visits Anschutz, Discusses NIH and Federal Research Support
Sen. John Hickenlooper visited [12] CU Anschutz on March 18, where he toured a cancer research lab and participated in a roundtable discussion on the impact of recent federal actions on medical research, patient care, and education on campus. The discussion was moderated by CU Anschutz Chancellor Don Elliman and featured leaders from CU Anschutz, UCHealth, Children’s Hospital of Colorado, National Jewish Health and Colorado State University. CU Regents Illana Dubin Spiegel, Elliot Hood, Frank McNulty and Wanda James also attended. More can be read in the CU Anschutz newsroom [13].

Rep. Neguse Participates in CU Boulder Roundtable
Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-2) participated in a roundtable at CU Boulder on March 20. The discussion, which featured leaders from CO-Labs [14] and the CO-WY Engine [15], focused on inter-lab collaboration, workforce development, and recent advances in research.

Rep. Crank Visits UCCS
Rep. Jeff Crank (CO-5) visited [16] UCCS on March 21. He met with UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet, and his visit highlights the importance of engagement and collaboration between higher education and state leaders.

Recent Hill Visits
Waleed Abdalati, Executive Director of the Cooperative Institute for Research In Environmental Sciences [17] (CIRES) at CU Boulder, met with staffers from the House Commerce, Justice, and Science Committee, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee and the offices of Reps. Neguse, Hurd, Crank, Crow, Evans on March 25 and 26.

Cathy Bodine, Director of the Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering [18] (CIDE) at CU Anschutz, met with staffers from the offices of Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper and Reps. DeGette, Neguse, Hurd, Crow, and Pettersen on March 25.

Ashley Brooks Russell, Director of the Injury and Violence Prevention Center [19] at CU Anschutz, met with staffers from the offices of Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper and Reps. DeGette, Hurd, Crank, Pettersen, and Evans on March 20.

Christy Heaton, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Transitions & Family Engagement with the Office of Academic Achievement [20] and Rafael Orozco, Director of TRIO Student Support Services [21] (TRIO SSS) and the TRIO McNair Scholars Program [22] at CU Denver, met with staffers from the offices of Sen. Hickenlooper and Rep. DeGette on March 19 and 20 as part of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE)’s Policy Seminar [23] to advocate for TRIO programs.

Students from CU Denver were on the Hill as part of the Alternative Spring Break [24] (ASB) 2025 trip to Washington, DC. On March 26, they participated in a U.S. Capitol tour with the office of Rep. DeGette and met with staff from the office of Sen. Bennet.