CONGRESS

The Federal government remains in a shutdown after Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution to fund operations into fiscal year 2026.

The Senate voted 51–47 to approve an en bloc amendment confirming more than 100 Trump Administration nominees. Among those confirmed were Kirsten Baesler as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education; Kimberly Richey as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; Mary Christina Riley as Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs; and David Barker as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.

ADMINISTRATION

White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced that the Trump Administration has initiated reduction-in-force plans across agencies.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) concluded its first round of negotiated rulemaking sessions under the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee but did not reach consensus on the proposed regulatory language. The next round of sessions is scheduled for November 3–7, 2025.

ED resumed granting loan forgiveness for qualified borrowers on certain Income-Based Repayment plans after pausing it since July.