Yale’s Record Lobbying Spree in Q3 2025
Yale University channeled a substantial $370,000 into federal lobbying during the third quarter of 2025, marking its highest quarterly expenditure this year. This figure represents a notable increase from the $320,000 reported in the second quarter, bringing the university’s total lobbying costs for the year to an impressive $890,000, according to recent disclosures.
Increased Engagement in Washington
This surge in spending highlights Yale’s intensified engagement in Washington, driven by concerns over its significant endowment and vital research funding. Richard Jacob, the associate vice president for federal and state relations, emphasized the university’s commitment to conveying the profound impact of higher education and Yale’s specific priorities to lawmakers across the political spectrum. He underscored how the institution actively addresses pressing challenges confronting American society.
Yale Leads the Ivy League in Lobbying
Historically, Yale has consistently allocated more resources to lobbying efforts than most of its Ivy League counterparts. In the third quarter alone, its spending overshadowed Columbia ($290,000), Cornell ($240,000), Harvard ($220,000), the University of Pennsylvania ($200,000), and Princeton ($160,000). Dartmouth reported $80,000, while Brown’s disclosure for the period was not yet publicly accessible. Notably, Dartmouth and Yale remain the only Ivy League universities unaffected by funding reductions implemented by the previous Trump administration.
Key Policy Focus Areas: Taxes, Research, and Student Aid
The university’s lobbying initiatives primarily concentrated on critical areas including federal tax legislation, student financial aid programs, and securing federal funding for research. A central concern was the Republican-backed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which proposed an increase in the tax on endowment investment returns from 1.4 percent to 8 percent for Yale and other similarly affluent universities.
Expanding Influence in the Capital
Jacob confirmed Yale’s strategic expansion of its Washington presence in recent years, which includes opening a dedicated office in the city and facilitating more frequent in-person meetings between the university president and government officials. To bolster its advocacy, Yale retained the lobbying firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld during the third quarter. This firm championed causes such as endowment tax policies and free speech issues, engaging directly with the House of Representatives, Senate, and the White House.
Key Lobbyists at the Helm
Among the key figures lobbying for Yale this quarter was Akin Gump policy advisor Zach Deatherage, who previously served as a legislative director for Republican Representative Elise Stefanik of New York. The university also continued its collaboration with Lamar Smith, a former Republican congressman from Texas. Additionally, Yale engaged Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck to advocate on broader higher education matters. This firm’s team included Evan Corcoran, former personal attorney for President Donald Trump, and veteran Republican lobbyist Marc Lampkin.
Eight Bills on Yale’s Agenda
Beyond the endowment tax measure, Yale’s lobbying activities addressed eight other legislative proposals. These included the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026,” which holds significant implications for research funding. The university also engaged with discussions surrounding the “Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act,” a bill pertaining to student-athlete name, image, and likeness rights. Jacob clarified that while the university had not taken a definitive stance on the SCORE Act, it actively participated in discussions to articulate its approach to collegiate athletics.
The university’s comprehensive fourth-quarter lobbying report, detailing activities from October 1 to December 31, is scheduled for submission on January 20, 2026.