The purpose of this is to keep you informed - JNCL-NCLIS is the lobbying arm for language education in the US, and SWCOLT is a member organization.

The briefing focused on the current congressional outlook, the status of the U.S. Department of Education, and several urgent FY27 funding threats affecting world language education, multilingual learners, international education, exchange programs, and national language readiness.

Congressional Outlook
JNCL-NCLIS reported that there are limited legislative days remaining before the August recess — only 12 House legislative days and 25 Senate legislative days. FY26 appropriations and the second reconciliation bill are complete, but major unfinished business remains, including FY27 appropriations.

Because no FY27 appropriations bills have passed the Senate, a September Continuing Resolution is increasingly likely. This means advocacy now is especially important as Congress continues to determine funding levels and priorities.

U.S. Department of Education Status
The continued phase-out and restructuring of the U.S. Department of Education: According to the briefing, approximately 2,000 USED staff have already been laid off, and additional staffing reductions may occur as some senior staff positions are converted to at-will positions.

JNCL-NCLIS also noted that more state waivers of federal education regulations are expected. Some states are already being granted flexibility to consolidate funding across programs, which could affect how federal education dollars are distributed and protected.

Program administration is being transferred to other federal agencies, including:

• K–12 and postsecondary programs moving to Labor Department

• Indian Education moving to Department  of the Interior

• Title VI/Fulbright-Hays moving to State Department

• IDEA moving to HHS Department

• OCR moving to Justice Department

For USED programs that continue, staffing levels remain uncertain. Grant programs are continuing, but new competitive grant priorities may include “returning education to the states” and AI, and grant applications may be subject to political review. Formula funds are expected on time, and USED is expected to retain its current grants management system for FY27.

FY27 Budget and Appropriations Concerns

The President’s F27 budget proposes to eliminate or reduce several key education and language-related programs, including:

• Title III

• Migrant Education

• Native Hawaiian Education

• HEA Title VI/Fulbright-Hays

• Title II-A

• Title IV-A

• Alaska Native Education

• State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funding

The budget is also quiet (unknown) on WLARA (Defense), the World Language Advancement and Readiness Act grant program.

In the House Appropriations Committee, the current education proposal would cut the USED budget by 10%, eliminate funding for ESEA Titles II-A and III and HEA Title VI/Fulbright-Hays, and reduce Title I by $1.9 billion. Some programs, including Title IV-A, Indian Education, Alaska Native Education, Native Hawaiian Education, and Native American Language Resource Centers, would be preserved at level funding or receive slight increases .

For State Department funding, the House proposal includes a $20 million cut to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. WLARA funding in Defense Appropriations is not yet known.

Immediate Calls to Action
JNCL-NCLIS is asking members and advocates to take action now through its advocacy portal: https://www.languagepolicy.org/take-action

There are three current action campaigns:

 

1. Secure World Language Advancement and Readiness funding in FY27 Defense Appropriation. 

This campaign supports continued funding for WLARA grants.

2. FY27 Education Appropriations: Protect national investments in critical language education programs

This campaign urges Congress to protect federal investments in language education, including Title III and other key education programs.

3. FY27 State Department Budget: Tell the Senate to restore funding for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange

This campaign supports international scholarship, exchange, and language programs administered through the State Department.

Please take a few minutes to complete the JNCL-NCLIS action alerts and share them with your networks. Constituent voices and stories are especially important during this narrow advocacy window. Try to personalize even if you just introduce yourself and your hometown.

Thank you for continuing to advocate for language education and for helping ensure that Congress hears from the language education community.