On July 22, NSTA submitted a letter to the chairs of the House and Senate Education Appropriations Committees, asking them to provide robust funding for FY2027 federal investments that strengthen K–12 science education, support the nation's science teaching workforce, and ensure every student has access to a high-quality science education. Read the letter here.

Appropriations Update: On July 21, with the upcoming midterm elections looming, the House approved a continuing resolution by a vote of 220-205 to extend federal funding at current levels through December 4. Since government funding for the year expires on September 30, lawmakers argued that extending the deadline to December with this stopgap measure would curtail the risk of another government shutdown and allow them more time to complete the 12 appropriations bills. 

Previously, on June 9, the Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill, providing funding of approximately $5.6 billion (3 percent) below the FY2026 enacted level. 

It is unlikely that the Senate will okay the House stopgap measure without major changes. Key senators have indicated they have started negotiating their own version of a stopgap measure. Previously, the Senate Appropriations Committee abruptly postponed a full-committee markup of FY 2027 appropriations legislation due to ongoing disagreement over overall discretionary spending levels. 

The House adjourned for summer break on July 23 and will return on August 31; the Senate is expected to adjourn on July 31 and will return in mid-September. Stay tuned. 

House Education Panel Advances Package Codifying Department of Education Actions to Downsize Programs

The House Education and Workforce Committee has approved a package of 10 bills designed to codify the Trump administration's effort to reduce the size and scope of the Department of Education by transferring many of its responsibilities to other federal agencies while maintaining existing statutory programs.  The legislative package includes bills to transfer functions related to workforce development, student aid, K–12 programs, tribal education, and family engagement from the Department of Education. During the markup, committee Democrats argued the proposals would weaken federal oversight and student protections, while Republicans maintained they would reduce duplication, improve program administration, and preserve services through other federal agencies rather than eliminate them. All 10 bills were reported favorably to the House, where they now await further consideration.

In related news, House Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, has introduced three articles of impeachment against Education Secretary Linda McMahon, making McMahon the first U.S. education secretary to face formal impeachment proceedings. The resolution alleges that McMahon acted with "willful intent" to dismantle the Department of Education by unlawfully transferring more than 100 programs and major offices—including those overseeing special education and civil rights enforcement—to other federal agencies without congressional approval.” A recent inspector general report found that the department has reduced its workforce by roughly 40 percent and canceled more than $1 billion in grants and contracts, significantly limiting its ability to carry out congressionally mandated responsibilities. 

In related news on June 30, 2026, Senate Democrats sent a letter demanding that the Trump administration immediately halt the transfer of special education programs and civil rights enforcement from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Ed Approves Waivers to Several States for Greater Federal Funding Flexibility 

Last month the Department of Education approved a Returning Education to the States Waiver to Vermont and Arkansas, making it now five states—Iowa, Louisiana, Indiana, Vermont and Arkansas—to receive this type of flexibility.  Returning Education to the States waivers are a broad initiative to expand state-led education governance and reduce federal oversight. The initiative stems from Executive Order 14242, signed in March 2025.

White House Issues New Report: Science: A New Golden Age

On July 21, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Michael Kratsios published a new report to President Trump that charts a bold course to revitalize American research and development (R&D). The report, entitled Science: A New Golden Age, marks the first comprehensive rethinking of the U.S. science and technology enterprise in over 80 years since Vannevar Bush’s Science: The Endless Frontier.

“American scientific progress was the beating heart of the 20th century. After World War II, we adapted to a new world by reinventing our scientific institutions, and we must do so again today. This report lays a policy foundation that frees American scientists to do their most groundbreaking work, revives the national pursuit of ambitious scientific missions, and positions the United States to lead the AI-driven scientific revolution that will define the next century,” said Director Kratsios.

As an annex to the report, the White House released the White House Fiscal Year 2028 R&D Priorities Memorandum to Federal departments and agencies with specific directives to implement the recommendations from the report. 

Congressional STEM Caucuses Host Women in STEM Panel

On July 21, the STEM Education Caucus and the Women in STEM Caucus hosted a Capitol Hill briefing titled “250 Years of Women Breaking Barriers and Building the Future in STEM.” The discussion featured Kari Byron, former MythBusters scientist and founder of the National STEM Festival; Suzanna Valdez Wolfe, CEO of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers; and Karen Horting, executive director and CEO of the Society of Women Engineers. Speakers emphasized introducing girls to STEM at an early age, providing visible role models and mentors, and creating a sense of community and belonging for women pursuing STEM careers. They also discussed persistent barriers—including unequal pay, limited access to leadership and funding, and technologies or products developed without women’s perspectives—and called for continued federal support for STEM education, universities, internships, and experiential learning. 

For the latest advocacy and policy updates, be sure to check out our Legislative Updates blog series, which is featured in our e-newsletters, NSTA Reports, and NSTA Weekly. 

The mission of NSTA is to transform science education to benefit all through professional learning, partnerships, and advocacy.