With the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, members of the 119th Congress have convened to address an agenda that will significantly affect many aspects of nursing education and practice. The Senate is voting on confirming Trump’s nominees to head federal agencies and programs, and both chambers of Congress are preparing to advance a budget resolution that will lay the groundwork for sweeping legislation on tax cuts and health care using procedures that will prevent Democrats from filibustering to block it.

At the same time, lawmakers must take action to raise the federal debt limit, respond to the devastating wildfires in California, and reopen negotiations on fiscal year 2025 funding for government programs, including nursing education and research, with the continuing resolution currently funding federal agencies set to expire on March 14. Last year, House appropriators proposed to cut nursing programs under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act by more than $18 million, eliminating the Nursing Workforce Diversity Program and merging the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) with other research centers, doing away with its specific funding. The Democratic majority in the Senate proposed retaining NINR and the diversity program along with a $5 million increase for Title VIII programs, but Republican majorities in both chambers will now negotiate a final agreement.

This is an important time for NLN members to reach out to their representatives and senators and explain the critical importance of strong federal support for nursing education and research and of rejecting proposals to cut funding. With many new lawmakers and staffers on Capitol Hill, NLN members need to help them understand nursing education and the challenges facing the nation’s nursing workforce. Please take action now to introduce or get reacquainted with your members of Congress and offer your expertise to help them address the issues affecting the future of academic nursing.