Federal Judge Blocks Trump's DEI Executive Orders, Reconciliation Updates, DOGE is Limited in Accessing Personal Data
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February 27, 2025
In order to provide the most timely updates, ACCT will now publish the Latest Action in Washington (LAW) updates twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. Please encourage your fellow trustees, presidents, and colleagues to stay up to date about legislation that affects their community colleges by joining the LAW network. To join, simply register here.
Leading the News this Week
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) voted 14 to 9 to advance the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor. The next step is to advance her nomination for a full senate vote that is yet to be scheduled.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer testified at her nomination hearing in front of the HELP Committee for Secretary of Labor, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, on Capitol Hill. Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Latest News in Higher Education
LAW is Going Live
Please join ACCT's Government Relations Team the first Friday of every month as they unpack updates in the Federal government and how they may impact community colleges, higher education, and workforce development. The first LAW Live Webinar is set to take please March 14th, at 1:00PM EST. Click here to register.
The Department of Education Faces Lawsuit Over Dear Colleague Letter
The American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association sued the Department of Education over the Dear Colleague Letter its Office of Civil Rights issued out that interprets the Supreme Court ruling, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard in such a way that all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming and practices in all intuitions of education are unlawful. The letter indicated that any institution of education partaking in DEI are subject to having their federal funding removed. While this letter does not have the force of law, it gave institutions until Friday February 28, 2025 to fall into compliance. The lawsuit argues that the Dear Colleague Letter is unlawful.
Meanwhile groups representing institutions of higher education, including ACCT, are asking the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, to rescind the letter.
The Next Step in Budget Reconciliation
The House Republicans were able to pass a budget resolution, which is a precursor to budget reconciliation. Now that both the Senate and the House each passed their own versions of a budget resolution, the next step is to make these two resolutions identical and thus advance the reconciliation process. The current issue is drafting the tax component so that it meets President Trump's agenda of extending the expiring elements of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in a way that is permanent, a challenge that is being met with the prospects of cutting funding from Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and student financial aid programs.
The Government Funding Deadline Quickly Approaches
With the funding deadline of March 14th, neither Committee on Appropriations in either chamber of Congress has a finalized draft of FY 2025 funding legislation. The consequence of not meeting this deadline is a government shut down. While the the House and Senate have the option of passing a continuing resolution to fund the government using FY 2024 funding levels, it is unclear if the Republican led Congress will have support from the Democrats.
March 14 1:00PM EST - LAW Live Webinar
April 4 1:00PM EST - LAW Live Webinar
May 2 1:00PM EST - LAW Live Webinar
June 6 1:00PM EST - LAW Live Webinar
Outreach Efforts
Is your institution meeting or hosting an event with federal elected officials?
We created a Congressional Contact Form that will help us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership. By filling out the form, you are better informing ACCT's advocacy efforts and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC.
ACCT NOW is the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges. Our new website features original reporting and research, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates. ACCT NOW also includes articles, reports, and research from outside sources that benefit the ACCT community. Read the Latest Articles on ACCT NOW:
Department of Education’s February 14 Dear Colleague Letter on Title VI and Equal Protection: Overview, Open Issues, and Implications for Higher Education
Dear Colleague Letter to Education Leaders Regarding DEI Programming from ED’s Office of Civil Rights
Memo From Office of Management and Budget Issues a Directive to Pause All Federal Assistance Programs
Have a Question?
Contact us with any questions or concerns about public policy and ACCT's advocacy on behalf of two-year colleges and two-year college trustees. ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts are sent to interested ACCT members to keep you up to date on important legislative activities that impact community colleges.
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