Yale Surges in Federal Lobbying with $370,000 Third Quarter Spend

UPDATE: Yale University has just announced a staggering $370,000 spent on federal lobbying during the third quarter of 2025, marking its highest total this year. This figure, revealed in new federal disclosures filed Monday, reflects a significant increase from the $320,000 spent in the previous quarter, pushing the university’s total lobbying expenditures for 2025 to $890,000.

This surge in lobbying comes amid increasing pressures on Yale’s endowment and research funding, as the university intensifies its efforts in Washington, D.C. to advocate for its interests. Yale’s lobbying expenditures outpace all other Ivy League institutions, with the next closest being Columbia University at $290,000.

Richard Jacob, Yale’s associate vice president for federal and state relations, stated, “The university works to communicate higher education’s impact and Yale’s mission and priorities to legislators on both sides of the aisle.” Jacob emphasized that Yale is actively addressing pressing problems across American society through its lobbying efforts.

In the third quarter, Yale’s focused lobbying initiatives have targeted critical legislation concerning taxes, student financial aid, and federal research funding. Among the significant issues at stake is the controversial Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill, which proposes increasing the tax on endowment investment returns from 1.4% to 8% for Yale and other affluent universities.

With the university’s strategic engagement in Washington, Yale has opened a new office in the capital, facilitating more in-person meetings between its president and government officials. This heightened activity shows a clear response to potential threats posed by recent legislative measures.

Yale has retained the services of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld to lobby on issues related to the endowment tax and free speech. Notably, Zach Deatherage, a former legislative director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, is among those advocating for Yale. Deatherage’s involvement is particularly significant given the recent tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian protests at Yale, which have drawn national attention.

In addition to Akin Gump, Yale has also engaged Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for lobbying efforts related to a broader spectrum of higher education issues. This firm has previously employed notable lobbyists including Evan Corcoran, a former personal attorney for Donald Trump.

Yale’s lobbying in the third quarter extended to eight different bills, including the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which directly impacts university research funding. Yale also engaged with the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act, which addresses name, image, and likeness rights for student athletes—a topic of increasing relevance in college athletics.

Jacob clarified that while Yale has not taken a formal position on the SCORE Act, the university views this as an opportunity to articulate its approach to college athletics.

As the lobbying landscape evolves, Yale’s next report detailing its activities for the fourth quarter will be released on January 20, 2026. Stakeholders are urged to watch closely as Yale continues to navigate the complexities of federal policy and funding pressures.

This latest lobbying surge solidifies Yale’s position as a leader among Ivy League universities in advocating for its interests in Washington, and the implications of these expenditures could resonate across the higher education landscape. Expect further developments as Yale intensifies its engagement with federal legislators.