OTC Inside The Beltway: Reconciliation Hits the Senate, McMahon Visits Congress, and the White House Budget Drops
This week on "Off the Cuff," Melanie and Karen discuss the latest developments concerning the reconciliation process, which now moves over to the Senate. While the Senate continues to work through the text, Karen provides some background on the chamber’s dynamics, and Melanie provides context as to the timeline under which the chamber is operating and the impact a final bill could have on student financial aid. The team also digs into the administration’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year and recaps Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s visit to Capitol Hill, where she defended the administration’s request to decrease the maximum Pell Grant award for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Finally, Melanie and Karen explain some new guidance from ED concerning updated verification requirements.
Speakers
 |
 |
 |
| Melanie Storey President and CEO |
Karen McCarthy Vice President |
Hugh Ferguson Managing Editor |
Resources
- Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
- Episode Transcript (coming soon)
- McMahon Answers More Lawmaker Questions on Reconciliation Bill, President’s Budget Request, and ED’s ‘Final Mission’
- McMahon Fields Questions from Senators on Cuts to Maximum Pell Grant, TRIO, and More Student Aid Programs in President Trump’s Budget Request
- 2025 Budget Reconciliation Web Center
- Trump’s FY 2026 Budget Request Calls for Decreasing Maximum Pell Grant and More Reductions for Student Aid Programs
Send your thoughts, questions, and comments. We'd love to hear what you think.
Publication Date: 6/6/2025
Related Content
Annual Business Meeting and Policy Update
Navigating Preferred Lender List Regulations in a Changing Federal Student Loan Environment
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Web Center
ED Announces New Agency Partnerships with State Department on Foreign Gift Reporting
New Analysis Looks at How OBBBA Will Impact Government Costs of Federal Student Loans
Student Communication Checklist for Federal Student Aid Changes From the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Off the Cuff - Episode 351 Transcript
Takeaways from the OB3 AHEAD Committee Webinar Handout
Legislative Tracker: 119th Congress
OTC AskRegs Experts: Working Through Clock-Hour To Credit-Hour Conversion
2026 LLCE: Hill Visit Preparation Webinar
OTC AskRegs Experts: Tracking OBBBA’s Implementation Timeline
Off the Cuff - Episode 347 Transcript
2025 Year in Review: NASFAA’s Policy, Grant, and Advocacy Efforts
OTC AskRegs Experts: Working Through Mid-Term Processing
NASFAA Statement on Student Loan Tax Elimination Act
2025-26_Winter Policy Update Webinar Handout
OB3 Loan Changes Planning & Implementation Checklist
2025-6 Webinar Transcript: Takeaways from the OB3 RISE Committee
Loan Limits, Repayment, and Definitions: Takeaways from the OB3 RISE Committee
Off the Cuff - Episode 343 Transcript
Policy Task Forces and Reports
Legislative Tracker: Appropriations and Budget
NASFAA Joins Organizations in Opposing Trump Administration’s Higher Education Compact
NASFAA Joins Organizations in Opposing Trump Administration’s Higher Education Compact
OTC AskRegs Experts: Shutdown Interruptions and an Update on FWS Guidance
OTC AskRegs Experts: ED’s Proposed Regs for PSLF
OTC Inside the Beltway: September Deadlines Are Piling Up
Off the Cuff - Episode 337 Transcript
NASFAA Webinar: 2025 State of Student Aid
Lawmakers Discuss Solutions for College Pricing Transparency
Department of Education Regulatory or Process Issues or Other Executive Branch Departments
Free College: A Three-Part Series
Testimony Before Congress or Presentations to Hill Staff
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or Advisory Committee Issues
Advertisement