Located steps from the U.S. Capitol at the Hall of the States, the Office of Federal Relations represents the University of Washington to both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government, participating on behalf of UW in a variety of national forums and advocating for UW priorities. The office also serves as a portal for the federal government and national organizations to the UW and as an access point for UW leadership and staff to our nation’s capital. Through regular reports and visits with campus personnel, Federal Relations staff provide timely information about national trends, opportunities and policy developments.

LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES

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  House passes bill ending partial shutdown

  February 3, 2026

  Following the quick turnaround leaders hoped for, the House passed a spending package on Tuesday afternoon to end the partial shutdown, funding most of the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year. The bill funds DHS through the end of next week, setting the stage for difficult negotiations over federal immigration operations. The…

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  Partial shutdown begins

  February 2, 2026

  Less than three months after a record-breaking 43-day shutdown, the government is once again facing a funding lapse. However, the partial shutdown that started Saturday has key differences from the fall shutdown, and leaders are optimistic it will be resolved quickly. In the final hours before the deadline on Friday, the Senate voted to fund…

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  Senate leaders scramble to save bipartisan deal to avert shutdown

  January 30, 2026

  In a surprising turn, Senate Democrats were able to strike a deal with President Donald Trump Thursday night to separate DHS funding from the broader appropriations package and fund it for two weeks while Congress debates ICE guardrails. “Republicans and Democrats have come together to get the vast majority of the government funded until September,”…

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