Policy Committee Updates - New England Council

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

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^th, the Energy & Environment Committee convened for a briefing with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s Environment and Public Works Committee staff. The discussion focused on various proposals pending at the EPW Committee, including ongoing efforts to address permitting reform. The Committee also discussed various advocacy and programming opportunities for the remainder of the 119th Congress.
On April 1^st, the Energy & Environment hosted a luncheon event featuring Vamsi Chadalavada, who assumed his role as President and CEO of ISO New England in January 2026. The event featured a discussion with Dr. Chadalavada on how the independent organization approaches keeping electricity flowing across the six New England states and ensuring that the region has reliable, competitively priced wholesale electricity today and into the future.

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 hosted its first meeting of 2026, featuring Grace Ryan, Rep. Stephen Lynch’s new financial services policy staffer. The discussion provided members with insight into the Congressman’s priorities and outlook for the Financial Services Committee for the remainder of the 119^th Congress.
On May 26, the Committee, along with the Housing Working Group, will hear from Erin Butler, the financial services policy staffer for Rep. Jim Himes. Similar to our discussion with Grace, Council members will receive insight into the Congressman’s financial services and housing policies priorities for the remainder of the Congressional session.

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.
On March 13, The New England Council hosted a New England Innovates program focused on the challenges and opportunities surrounding early disease detection in the healthcare sector. The forum explored innovation in early disease detection from multiple industry perspectives and discuss the potential impact for individuals and businesses in New England. The conversation featured keynote remarks from Congressman Jim McGovern, followed by a panel discussion related to patient outcomes and cost savings. View Program Agenda or Watch Online.
On March 19, the Healthcare Committee convened for a virtual meeting featuring a discussion with staff to U.S. Representative Lori Trahan (D-MA). Alex Karabatsos, Legislative Director, and Alex Eliasen, Legislative Assistant, joined the Committee and provided an update on the Congresswoman’s work on the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee. The Committee also discussed various legislative priorities and programming ideas for the remainder of the 119th Congress.

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 December 9, the Higher Education Committee hosted a presentation by UNH Law Professor Michael McCann, who briefed members on ongoing activities in Congress related to Name Image and Likeness (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.
On February 27, the Council submitted comments to the Department of Education on the Department of Education’s recent Reimagining and Improving Student Education proposed rule. The letter outlined concerns about changes to the definition of a “professional degree,” which NEC members believe will exacerbate workforce shortages in key professions, primarily in the healthcare sector, across the United States, and especially rural areas. Read the letter.
On March 30, the Council submitted comments on the proposed rule “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: System for Award Management Registration Requirements for Financial Assistance Recipients.” The letter expressed concerns that the proposed certifications are both redundant and burdensome, as current standards already mandate legal compliance. Read the letter.

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 hosted 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 also outlined 2026 programming priorities, including sessions focused on Workforce Retention & Housing and the intersection of Transportation & Housing policy.
On April 17, the Council sent a letter expressing opposition to HUD’s proposed rule on mixed immigration status. In particular, the rule would end housing assistance for “mixed-status” families -households with both eligible residents (such as U.S. citizens) and ineligible undocumented members-by requiring all household members to verify their eligible immigration status to receive aid. The policy would effectively bar such families from public housing or force them to separate, potentially putting tens of thousands of people, including many U.S.-citizen children, at risk of losing assistance or facing eviction. Supporters say the change ensures limited housing resources go only to eligible recipients, while critics warn it could increase homelessness, disrupt families, and disproportionately harm vulnerable communities. Read the Letter.
On June 16, the Housing Working Group will host a Council-wide event in Boston on workforce retention and the intersection of housing. The event will focus on the impact on businesses and their ability to recruit and retain employees due to rising housing costs and shortages. Representative Stephen Lynch will serve as our special guest and speak more on his work on first-time housing legislation and overall housing reform.

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION WORKING GROUP

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.
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.
SBIR Update: In March, the Senate and the House passed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, legislation to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through fiscal year 2031, which the Council previously advocated in support of. As of March 31 the President had yet to sign it into law. Read the Letter.

TRADE WORKING GROUP

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.
On April 9, the Trade Working Group hosted a virtual meeting featuring George Wang, Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman John Larson (D-CT). George discussed the Trump Administration’s tariff policy and its impacts. He also reviewed the Supreme Court’s ruling on IEEPA tariffs and the pivot towards other tariff prospects. He further discussed the USMCA review process currently underway and the outlook for changing the agreement rather than agreeing to a 16-year automatic renewal. Watch here.
On May 13, the Trade Working Group will meet with Molly Newell, Chief International Trade Counsel and Mary Kate Carter, International Trade Policy Advisor – both of whom work for Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID). This in-person meeting will be held in conjunction with the Washington Leaders’ Conference.

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

On September 18, 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.
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold two meetings in conjunction with the Washington Leaders Conference. The first will be with staff to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), and the second with staff to Senate EPW Committee Ranking Member Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).