The Office of Federal Relations serves as the primary link to the federal government, working regularly with Congress, the White House, and federal agencies on matters that affect Indiana University and higher education.

IU financial aid leaders meet with policymakers in DC to discuss continued support for Title IV Federal Student Aid

Last month, Indiana University financial aid leaders Sarah Soper and Lauren Greider visited Washington D.C. as part of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Directors (NAFSAA) Leadership & Legislative Conference. While in D.C., Lauren and Sarah presented on behalf of IU during “Indiana Student Aid 101,” a lunch briefing to congressional staff about how Indiana’s higher education institutions prioritize access and affordability for Hoosier students.

Dr. Ming Gao of IU Northwest meets with policymakers in DC to discuss continued support for NIH research funding

While visiting Washington D.C. for a presentation to the Allied Genetics Conference, IU Northwest Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Ming Gao and students in his lab visited with members of Indiana’s congressional delegation and their staff. Students Yousef Nammari, Evan Kara, Deep Govani, Raheem Mansoor, and Abraham Fielder discussed the lab’s research in determining the role of me31B protein in germ cell development.

Dr. Gao’s work is funded by a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The group discussed with policymakers the importance of continued support for basic research funding through the NIH and thanked them for their support of IU Northwest.

Senator Todd Young Hosts Listening Session at IU Indianapolis on Emerging Biotechnology

On Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, U.S. Sen. Todd Young hosted a listening session at IU Indianapolis with fellow commissioners on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology and Hoosier biotech leaders. The NSCEB is a national commission that will shape Department of Defense activities regarding emerging biotechnology and provide recommendations to Congress on the national security implications of biotechnology.

The morning’s activities also included a tour of the biotech lab in Innovation Hall led by Mangilal Agarwal, a professor of mechanical and energy engineering. Sen. Young’s visit to IU Indianapolis took place as IU plans to invest more than $250 million to advance Indiana’s global leadership in the life sciences and biotechnology innovation.

IU Southeast Chancellor Debbie Ford Visits Indiana Delegation as Part of AASCU on the Hill

As part of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Hill Day, IU Southeast Chancellor Debbie Ford met with members of Indiana’s congressional delegation to discuss the collective impact of Indiana University’s regional campuses and IU Southeast’s strong commitment to student success and talent development in southeastern Indiana.

Roundtable Conversation with Todd Young and Ro Khanna

Ash Soni, Dean of the IU Kelley School of Business, participated in a congressional roundtable sponsored by Sen. Young and Rep. Khanna of leading U.S. business school deans.

Increased Transparency

During a House Education and Workforce Subcommittee hearing on June 16, 2023, Rep. Houchin gave accolades to IU for the establishment of the IU Student Tuition and Fees Task Force and for the IU Student Debt Notification letter.

USICA Conference Committee

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate began to resolve differences between the Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) and the House-passed America COMPETES Act. The 107 conferees taking part in the negotiations met on May 12^th for the first time, kicking off the conference process for the competitiveness legislation. 

On the first day of the conference, Sen. Todd Young, a member of the conference committee, said, "In the days ahead, there will be disagreements, but we need to get this bill across the finish line with a strong bipartisan vote, and help ensure the United States is leading the world into the future."

The federal relations team is closely monitoring the developments taking place throughout the conference process. To view Senator Young’s comments during the first public meeting of the conference committee, see the video below.

Examining Charitable Giving and Trends in the Nonprofit Sector Senate Finance Committee

Dr. Una Osili, the Associate Dean for Research and International Programs and the Efroymson Chair in Philanthropy at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, testified before the Senate Committee on Finance on March 17, 2022. Dr. Osili’s testimony underscored the growth of philanthropy and charitable giving during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to support and encourage charitable giving in the years ahead.

Senator Todd Young, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, remarked that, “Dr. Osili is a leading expert on charitable giving, both domestically and across borders. As we examine the state of our non-profit sector in 2022 in the midst of a pandemic, war, and a changing economy, I’m grateful that Dr. Osili shared her expertise with us.”

Watch testimony (starts at 2h 1m)

Download testimony