H.R. 4 and H.R. 517 Signed into Law S. 1582
7/24/2025
Action Summary
- Date and Context: President signed three significant pieces of legislation on July 24, 2025.
- H.R. 4 – Rescissions Act of 2025: Rescinds specific budget authority as outlined in the President’s June 3, 2025 special messages, in compliance with section 1012(a) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
- H.R. 517 – Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act: Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify deadlines for filing in the event of a natural disaster.
- S. 1596 – Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act: Renames the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to the “Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge”.
Risks & Considerations
- The signing of H.R. 4, the “Rescissions Act of 2025,” could lead to changes in budget allocations that may affect federal funding streams. This could impact Vanderbilt University if any rescinded budget authority pertains to education or research funding.
- H.R. 517, the “Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act,” primarily affects tax filing deadlines and may have limited direct impact on Vanderbilt University. However, it could indirectly affect students or staff who are dealing with natural disasters.
- S. 1596, the “Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act,” is unlikely to have a direct impact on Vanderbilt University, as it pertains to the renaming of a wildlife refuge in Texas.
Impacted Programs
- Office of Financial Affairs at Vanderbilt may need to monitor any changes in federal budget allocations resulting from the Rescissions Act to assess potential impacts on university funding.
- The Office of Emergency Management might consider the implications of the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act in terms of providing support to students and staff affected by natural disasters.
Financial Impact
- The Rescissions Act could potentially alter the financial landscape for federal funding, necessitating a review of Vanderbilt’s reliance on specific federal grants or programs that might be affected.
- While the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act does not directly impact university finances, it may influence the financial planning of individuals within the Vanderbilt community who are affected by natural disasters.
Relevance Score: 2 (Minor considerations for the university to address, primarily related to monitoring potential changes in federal funding and support for community members affected by natural disasters.)
Key Actions
- Office of Financial Affairs should review the implications of the “Rescissions Act of 2025” on Vanderbilt’s budget and funding streams. Understanding which budget authorities are rescinded will be crucial for financial planning and ensuring the university’s financial stability.
- Vanderbilt’s Disaster Response Team should assess the “Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act” to understand how changes in tax filing deadlines due to disasters might impact the university’s operations and financial planning, especially in terms of grants and funding cycles.
- The Environmental and Sustainability Studies Department could explore opportunities for research and collaboration related to the renaming of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. This could include studies on the impact of such changes on local ecosystems and community engagement.
Opportunities
- The “Rescissions Act of 2025” may present an opportunity for Vanderbilt to advocate for the restoration of funding in areas critical to its mission. Engaging with policymakers to highlight the importance of these funds could help mitigate potential negative impacts.
- The “Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act” offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt to enhance its support services for students and staff affected by natural disasters, ensuring they are aware of and can benefit from extended deadlines and relief measures.
- The renaming of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge could serve as a platform for Vanderbilt to engage in public discourse on environmental conservation and the significance of wildlife refuges, potentially leading to new partnerships and research initiatives.
Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures due to potential impacts on financial planning and opportunities for advocacy and research.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A – No specific implementation deadlines or timelines are identified in the provided text.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): The rescission provisions in H.R. 4 impact processes related to budget authority and fiscal oversight, involving the OMB in reviewing adjustments to proposed budgets.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): H.R. 517, the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act, amends the Internal Revenue Code, directly affecting the IRS’s administration of tax filing deadlines in disaster scenarios.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior): S. 1596, which renames a National Wildlife Refuge, directly involves this agency in managing and administering the affected wildlife refuge.
Relevance Score: 2 (A moderate number of agencies – three in this case – are impacted by the legislation.)
Responsible Officials
- N/A – The text only announces the signing of laws without designating specific officials for implementation.
Relevance Score: 1 (Directives do not pinpoint any specific agency head or executive official.)