This week is the Senate’s last week in session until September 14, so there was a flurry of activity as they attempted to wrap up work before the August recess. The biggest action relevant to education funding was on a continuing resolution (CR) to extend current funding levels beyond the end of the fiscal year and avoid a government shutdown in October. A number of nominations were also approved, but the budget reconciliation bill providing additional defense spending and farm aid did not move forward, setting up a very busy fall. Read more below: 

• Senate Passes CR: Early on August 8, the Senate overwhelmingly approved a CR that would prevent the government from shutting down after Sept. 30 when the fiscal year ends. The CR would keep 2026 funding levels for most programs through December 11, 2026. It also delayed the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed changes to federal grant rules until that date. However, the Senate CR differs significantly from the previously passed House CR, so the two chambers will need to come to agreement on the text after the recess.  

• ED Launches “Careers in Your Community” Challenge: On August 4, ED launched the “Careers in Your Community” Challenge, the fourth competition in the CTE Momentum series. The challenge invites teams of high school students to develop and submit proposals that improve career exploration at their schools. Proposals are due November 19, 2026. Read more details about the challenge on our blog.    

• ED Approves First Workforce Pell Program: On August 4, ED approved the country’s first Workforce Pell Grant program at Iowa Central Community College. This allows qualifying students in its emergency medical technician program to receive federal dollars for their education. 

• IES Opens Multiple Grant Programs: On August 6, the Institute of Education Sciences released funding announcements for multiple research grant programs, including for the Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences and Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking programs. The deadline for each of these programs is October 1, and interested readers can learn more about the programs here. 

• Groups Announce Grant Program on Innovative Postsecondary Models: On July 31, a group of education organizations announced a grant program that will support groups developing and promoting innovative postsecondary education models, with a focus on career-alignment and preparing students to attain credentials and enter the workforce. The deadline for groups to submit proposals is September 14. 

• Kids Online Safety Act Advances to Senate Floor: On August 5, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a markup of several bills, including the Kids Online Safety Act, introduced by Sens. Blackburn (R-TN) and Blumenthal (D-CT). This bill would require online platforms, including social media, to implement tools and safeguards for users younger than 17. It was approved by the committee and now moves to the Senate floor for a vote.  

• Secretary McMahon Sends Directive to University Presidents, Governing Boards: On August 3, Secretary McMahon issued a letter to university presidents and governing boards with a series of questions, urging them to post public answers. While the letter does not mention ties to funding decisions, the questions do reflect many of the Administration’s priorities.  

• Federal Statistical Agencies Strained Amid Staffing Cuts: All 13 federal statistical agencies, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau and ED’s National Center for Education Statistics, have been faced with deep staffing cuts in the last year. This raises concerns about their ability to produce relevant, timely and accurate statistics for decisionmakers and the public.  

• Nearly Half a Million Borrowers to Have Loans Erased: Reporting this week indicates that about half a million federal student loan borrowers are expected to have their loans erased after the conclusion of a lawsuit that has spanned three presidential Administrations.  

• Secretary McMahon Visits Kansas and Pennsylvania on National Tour: On August 5, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Manhattan High School in Kansas and participated in a roundtable discussion with teachers and administrators focused on CTE and workforce readiness. McMahon also visited Villanova University in Pennsylvania and spoke with university leadership on workforce readiness.