Policy Committee Updates

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

• On September 5, the Energy & Environment Committee presented the latest installment of the Council’s New England Innovates series. The program, titled “Protecting New England Communities from Forever Chemicals” featured a fireside chat Congressman Jake Auchincloss focused on the rising concerns over chemicals in drinking water, food, and daily use products, primary known as PFAS. Following the discussion with the Congressman, Dr. Dan Rush of Waters Corporation, led a panel discussion with several experts on PFAS detection and remediation. View Program Agenda
• On November 4, the Energy & Environment Committee convened for a discussion with Eric Kanter, Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director for Congressman Jared Golden and Rob MacGregor, Republican Staff Director for the House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Mineral Resources for a discussion on the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776)  In addition to hearing insight into the bipartisan permitting reform bill, members also participated in an advocacy and programming planning discussion.
• On December 3, the New England Council’s Technology and Innovation Working Group and Energy and Environment Committee will hosted a virtual meeting with Mark Sanborn who serves as the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator for Region 1. Administrator Sanborn discussed his agency’s top priorities and initiatives, with a particular focus on issues related to AI and robotics.   Watch Here.
• On March 20, the Energy & Environment Committee will host a virtual meeting featuring a presentation from Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Minority Staff. The staffers will brief committee members on Ranking Member Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s (D-RI) top priorities for the committee in 2026, and in particular, bipartisan permitting reform efforts.  Register Here.

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

• On December 3, the Committee hosted its final general business 2025, providing members with an update on recent financial services policy developments on Capitol Hill. The group reviewed the Committee’s federal policy priorities for 2026 and discussed programming and engagement opportunities for the coming year.
• Also on December 3, the Committee hosted a Capitol Hill Briefing Congressional staff and Council members on the Council’s new report on the economic impact of the financial services industry in New England. PwC presented findings the recent report on trends impacting the financial services sector, followed by a panel discussion featuring NEC members who shared industry perspectives on key themes and policy implications. Panelists included Peter Rice of Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Kristy Croushore of Fidelity Investments, and John Stadtler and Peter Polini of PwC. The event provided an opportunity to elevate New England’s financial services priorities directly with policymakers and staff. Read the Report.
• On December 9, the Council sent a letter to the New England House delegation expressing our support for H.R. 2441, the Improving Disclosure for Investors Act of 2025 (commonly referred to as the “E-Delivery” bill). The legislation would modernize investor communications by allowing electronic delivery of required disclosure documents, improving efficiency while maintaining investor protections. Provisions of H.R. 2441 were ultimately included in a broader capital markets legislative package (H.R. 3383), which passed the House on December 11. Read the Letter.
• On February 26, the Committee will host its first meeting of 2026, featuring Grace Ryan, Rep. Stephen Lynch’s new financial services policy staffer. The discussion will provide members with insight into the Congressman’s priorities and outlook for the Financial Services Committee for the remainder of the 119^th Register Here.

HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE

• On November 21, the Council sent a letter to the New England House delegation expressing our support for The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (R.5343). This legislation, which was advanced by the House Ways & Means Committee with strong bipartisan support in September, would provide a clear pathway for four years of transitional Medicare coverage of breakthrough devices upon the manufacturer’s application and requires CMS to make a permanent coverage determination by the end of the temporary period.  Read the Letter.

• On December 2, the Healthcare Committee held it’s final meeting of 2025, featuring remarks from Nick Valenti, who serves as Legislative Aide for Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Nick updated members on the Senator’s healthcare priorities, and in particular her work to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, which were due to expire at the end of 2025.

• Building upon MCED advocacy, on March 13, the Healthcare Committee will host an event as part of the New England Innovates series focused on early disease detection. The program will examine the challenges and opportunities surrounding early disease detection in the healthcare sector. Congressman Jim McGovern is confirmed to deliver keynote remarks on the role of federal research funding in the field of early detection, as well as examine challenges and opportunities for federal government involvement. The program will also feature a panel discussion with Council members highlighting their own work in the early detection space.  Register Here.

HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

• On September 17, the Council sent a letter to House & Senate Appropriations Committee leadership expressing our support for continued federal research funding.  The letter highlighted the tremendous economic impact of federal funding through the NIH and NHS specifically, as well as the national and global impact of the innovations developed in the region. Read the Letter.
• On September 23, the Council submitted comments on the proposed rule “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.” Read the Comment Letter here.
• On September 29, the Council sent a letter to members of the New England delegation on regular order appropriations. In the letter we expressed that while were pleased to see continued funding for Pell Grants included in both the House and Senate versions, we were concerned by the elimination of Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) funding, and the deep cut to Federal Work-Study (FWS) funding in the House version. Read the letter.
• December 9 Higher Education Committee Meeting with UNH Law Professor Michael McCann, who briefed members on ongoing activities in Congress related to Name Image and Likness (NIL) issues for NCCA athletes.
• On February 10, the Higher Education Committee held the first meeting of 2026. The committee was again joined by Amanda Fuchs Miller who briefing members on recent regulatory actions by the Trump Administration related to the higher education sector, and shared her insights on other actions to expect in the months ahead.

HOUSING WORKING GROUP

• The Housing Working Group (HWG) held its final meeting of 2025 on November 4, 2025, where members discussed updates to the ROAD to Housing Act, changes to the Home Reform bill, and the broader federal housing policy landscape heading into 2026. The discussion focused on identifying advocacy priorities and positioning the Council for strategic engagement in the new Congress.
• On November 24, the Council sent a letter to Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, members of the New England Congressional Delegation, and House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole expressing strong opposition to the Department’s proposed changes to the Continuum of Care (CoC) program. The letter outlined concerns about the proposed shift away from permanent supportive housing models and emphasized the significant impact such changes would have on vulnerable populations and communities across New England. Shortly after the letter, the proposed rule was rescinded by the Department. This outcome reflects the effectiveness of coordinated advocacy efforts and the importance of maintaining stable federal housing support. Read the Letter.
• The Working Group will host its first meeting of 2026 to discuss newly introduced housing legislation and the House’s renewed movement on its housing package, following the earlier passage of the ROAD to Housing Act in committee and its subsequent blockage by House leadership. The group will also outline 2026 programming priorities, including sessions focused on Workforce Retention & Housing and the intersection of Transportation & Housing policy. Register Here.

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION WORKING GROUP

• On October 16, the working group hosted a meeting featuring a presentation by Alan McQuinn, professional staff member on the House Science Space and Technology Committee, who updated members on the Committee’s work on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

• On December 3, the Tech & Innovation Working Group partnered with the Energy & Environment Committee to host the EPA Region 1 Administrator Mark Sanborn, who discussed his agency’s top priorities and initiatives, with a particular focus on issues related to AI and robotics.   Watch Here.

• On January 23, the Working Group hosted STEMatch for a presentation on their internship program. The organization partners with community colleges and tech industry employers to offer internships to students who may not otherwise have access to them in tech and other business fields. This is the second year we hosted this webinar as it gives our members an opportunity to partner with the program.  Watch Here.
• On January 28^, the working group hosted a virtual AI Policy Outlook Webinar featuring a presentation by staff from ML Strategies. Alex Hecht and Bruce Sokler presented on what to expect from the Administration and Congress pertaining to AI this year. The program was open to all Council members with over 100 participating. Watch Here.
• On February 19, the Working Group held its first meeting of the year, featuring a presentation from several members of Sen. Markey’s staff.  The staffers updated members about the Senator’s work on technology related issues as a member of both the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate Small Business Committee.  Topics covered included artificial intelligence (AI), data privacy, telecommunications, and efforts to reauthorize SBIR/STTR programs.

TRADE WORKING GROUP

• On September 15, the Trade Working Group hosted a virtual event open to all Council members where several trade policy experts from member firm Wilmer Hale provided a briefing on President Trump’s tariffs in February will provided an update on where things stand and where tariff policy is projected to go in the months ahead. Read Recap.
• On October 30, the Trade Working Group hosted a meeting featuring Haley Adams, Trade Counsel to Senator Elizabeth Warren.  She provided an overview of the Trump Administration’s trade and tariff policy and discussed the efforts underway just that week in the Senate to reverse the Administration’s emergency declaration for tariffs on Brazil, Canada, and the global community. She also mentioned a report written by Senator Warren related to China trade relations. Read Recap.
• On October 31, the Council submitted a comment letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative as part of that agency’s mandated review of the US-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) on the 6^th anniversary of the agreement’s implementation.  In the letter, the Council expressed its ongoing support for the USMCA and highlighted the importance of free trade between the US and these key trade partners.  Read the letter.

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

• On September18, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a meeting to discuss priorities for the Fall and the coming Second Session of Congress.  The Committee led off with a discussion on the expiration of the surface transportation law at the end of September 2026 and how it will not be as large as the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. Also discussed were air traffic control modernization efforts, Coast Guard reauthorization, Water Resources Development Act reauthorization, pipeline infrastructure, federal funding lapses and project deliveries, and transit oriented development as an issue for the Committee to work on with the Housing Working Group. Read Recap.
• On January 28, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee welcomed Mr. Loren Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Mr. Miles Bolin, Deputy Director – Office of Public Liaison at the United States Department of Transportation, to discuss a variety of policy issues including the reauthorization of the nation’s surface transportation law; aviation safety, open skies, and innovation; rail grant usage; port infrastructure; Coast Guard and maritime functions; permitting reform; and multimodal safety issues. Read Recap.