The Senate has passed a sweeping reconciliation bill that threatens to upend college access, affordability, and support for students.
Now headed back to the House, the bill is an improvement over the initial House-passed version but still includes deep cuts to student aid, expanded taxes on higher education, and harmful Medicaid rollbacks that could significantly affect students, campuses, and communities.
Originally designed to adjust federal spending and revenues, the budget reconciliation process has increasingly been used to push through major—and often deeply partisan—policy changes. Unlike most legislation, reconciliation bills can pass the Senate with a simple majority, bypassing the usual 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster.
The current bill is central to President Trump’s push to shrink the federal role in education, privatize public services, and shift costs to students and families—prioritizing tax cuts and political ideology over college access and long-term economic competitiveness. Higher education leaders, students, and advocates must speak out now. The stakes are high—not just for campuses, but for the future of an educated workforce and an equitable society.
This toolkit offers a few simple ways you can take action:
LEARN THE ISSUES
Review the key facts, talking points, and context.
CONTACT CONGRESS
Urge your lawmakers to support policies that protect access, innovation, and student success.
SPREAD THE WORD
Use your platform to raise awareness through social media and campus networks.