See you in D.C. for NLS, Partial Government Shutdown Ends
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February 6, 2026
Leading the News this Week
Publisher's Note: LAW will take a hiatus next week to attend to all the excitement and fascinating policy discussions during the National Legislative Summit (NLS).
On February 3, 2026, Congress passed, and the President signed the five bill goverment spending package that ended the government shutdown that spanned four days.
News in Higher Education
See you in D.C. for NLS
The 2026 Community College National Legislative Summit (NLS) is around the corner! Here are a few ways you can continue getting ready.
- Download and review the 2026 Community College Federal Legislative Priorities, aka the "Green Sheet."
- Get your college's "asks" in order and be ready to talk and answer questions about them.
- Complete the Federal Funds worksheet before you leave for Washington.
View and bookmark ACCT's NLS resources page here - we will continue to add helpful resources.
Partial Government Shutdown Ends
At the end of this short-lived government shutdown, five appropriations bills (including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill) became law. This means that the Departments of Education and Labor are funded until the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2026.
As a reminder, in the bipartisan LHHS bill, both the Senate and the House rejected proposed cuts and eliminations of student aid and other critical programs. Of all ACCT appropriations priorities for FY26, all programs received level funding or a minor increase, except the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP), which is set to face a $10 million reduction. As such, one of ACCT's legislative priorities for FY27 is to advocate for SIP funding that matches FY24 levels. Please take a look at our ACCT Now blog for a deeper dive on the LHHS bill.
Finally, reach out to the ACCT government relations team at publicpolicy@acct.org with any questions.
- February 8-11, 2026: National Legislative Summit
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:
Bipartisan Education and Labor Spending Bill Protects Nearly All Critical Community College Programs for FY26
Transatlantic Exchange Expands as U.S. and U.K. Students Drive Sustainability and Workforce Innovation
Two Futures, One Campus: How Supporting Student Parents and Their Children Creates Lasting Change
Would you Like a Federal Update Session for Your Team?
Both this new presidential administration and new Congress have brought with them a flurry of developments in the federal landscape that can make keeping up a monumental task. ACCT's Government Relations team is here to help by offering a 45-minute to an-hour federal update session to community college leadership teams who are ACCT members. To request a session, fill out this form and please email publicpolicy@acct.org with any questions.
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.
If you no longer wish to receive ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts, reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. For more information about ACCT's advocacy services, visit acct.org/advocacy
Spread the Word.
Please encourage your fellow trustees, presidents and colleagues to stay up to date about legislation that affects their community colleges by joining the Latest Action in Washington (LAW) Alert network. To join, simply register here.
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