Lobbying
Harvard Lobbied on Trump’s Visa Cap as Federal Lobbying Spending Dips to $200,000
Harvard lobbied on a congressional resolution that would overturn the federal rule imposing a four-year cap on visas for students and visiting scholars, according to federal lobbying disclosures released Monday.
Harvard Spends $210,000 on Federal Lobbying in Second Quarter of 2026
Harvard spent $210,000 on federal lobbying in the second quarter of 2026, down slightly from the first quarter and 22 percent from the same period last year, according to disclosures filed Monday.
A New Playbook: How Harvard is Trying to Win Over Trump’s Washington
Harvard turned to a record-setting lobbying blitz to survive Washington’s assault — but even with Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 on Capitol Hill and Trump-connected firms on retainer, the University is still fighting from the defensive.
Cambridge City Council Votes to End ShotSpotter Use Amid Privacy, Accuracy Concerns
The Cambridge City Council narrowly voted Monday to end the city’s use of ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system that has drawn years of criticism from residents and councilors over privacy concerns and potential data-sharing with federal authorities.
Harvard Spends $220,000 on Federal Lobbying in First Quarter of 2026
Harvard spent $220,000 on federal lobbying between January and March, maintaining elevated advocacy spending as the University continues to navigate sustained financial and regulatory pressure, according to disclosures filed last Monday.
Harvard Spent Nearly $1 Million on Federal Lobbying in 2025, Including $230,000 in Q4
Harvard spent nearly $1 million in federal lobbying in 2025 — its highest total in more than two decades — as the University faced mounting financial and regulatory pressure from the Trump administration.
The ‘Eyes and Ears’ Behind Harvard’s State Lobbying
The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts is Harvard’s voice in the statehouse — and it’s using the University’s clashes in Washington to make the case for favorable policies closer to home.
Harvard Continues Record Spending on Lobbying in Third Quarter of 2025
Harvard spent $220,000 lobbying the federal government between July and September, continuing a year-long surge in federal advocacy spending as the University faces sustained financial threats from Washington, according to disclosures filed last week.
Harvard Spends Record-High $270,000 on Lobbying in Second Quarter of 2025
Harvard spent $270,000 lobbying the federal government between April and June as it ramped up efforts to counter mounting political and financial pressures from Washington, according to disclosures filed last month.
Harvard Pays $90K to Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm in Second Quarter of 2025
Harvard paid lobbying firm Ballard Partners $90,000 in the second quarter of 2025 as the University broadened its federal advocacy to include direct engagement with the White House, according to a disclosure filed Tuesday.
Harvard Spends Record Amount on Lobbying in First Quarter of 2025 As It Fends Off Federal Threats
Harvard spent $230,000 on federal lobbying in the first quarter of 2025 — its highest quarterly total since George W. Bush’s presidency — as the University tries to fortify itself against attacks from Congress and the White House.
Harvard’s Lobbying Spending Rose by 17% in 2024, the Most in More Than a Decade
Harvard spent $620,000 on lobbying the federal government in 2024 — the most it’s spent since 2010 — as the University attempts to dissuade lawmakers from imposing a larger endowment tax and other financial penalties on the heels of a 2023 leadership crisis.
Harvard Hires Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm Ahead of Inauguration
Harvard hired Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm with ties to several of President-elect Donald Trump’s top advisers, last week as it prepares for additional political challenges under a more aggressive White House, according to federal lobbying disclosures.
Ivy League Federal Lobbying Expenditure Rose 12% in 2023, Harvard Spent $530,000
Harvard spent $530,000 on lobbying the federal government in 2023, the lowest amount spent by the University in the past nine years.
Harvard Says the Endowment Tax Is a Blow to Higher Education. Is It?
Harvard has decried a bill passed under the Trump administration that includes a tax on wealthy university endowments. But is the impact of the provision as significant as the University claims it to be?
Harvard Spent $560,000 on Federal Lobbying in Biden’s First Year
Harvard spent $560,000 in federal lobbying during President Joe Biden’s first year in office, topping the Ivy League for the fifth time in the past six years.
Harvard’s 2020 Lobbying Expenditures Top Ivy League, Focusing on Pandemic, Immigration Legislation
University President Lawrence S. Bacow and representatives from the University’s Office of Federal Relations lobbied the White House and Congress on issues tied to student financial aid, research funding, and taxes on Harvard’s $41.9 billion endowment. Last year also brought legislation related to the coronavirus pandemic and immigration to the forefront of the University’s lobbying activities.
Harvard, Local Universities Oppose College Sports Gambling in Letter to State House
Harvard and six other local colleges and universities opposed a bill that would legalize college sports betting in a Friday letter to Massachusetts state legislators.
Harvard Collaborates with Higher Education Lobbyists As Challenges Grow for Colleges and Universities
Harvard is working with higher education lobbying groups to alleviate unforeseen challenges presented by the global coronavirus pandemic, according to University Spokesperson Jason A. Newton.
Harvard Spent $595,000 Last Year on Federal Lobbying
Harvard spent $595,000 lobbying in Washington, D.C., in 2019, a figure $5,000 less than its 2018 spending, according to the University’s lobbying disclosures.
After More Than a Year of Uncertainty, IRS Releases Proposed Guidance on Filing Endowment Tax
After more than a year of uncertainty, the Internal Revenue Service issued proposed guidance on Friday for higher education institutions — including Harvard — required to pay a new tax on their endowments.
Harvard Law Students Push to Reform Law Firms’ Contracts for Incoming Associates
Students from Harvard Law School’s Pipeline Parity Project continued their campaign against mandatory arbitration clauses — provisions of employment contracts that require employees to settle disputes through a private arbiter rather than bringing their concerns to the courts.
Bacow Advocates for ‘Permanent Resolution’ for DACA and TPS Protections in Letter to Lawmakers
University President Lawrence S. Bacow penned a letter to United States Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) Tuesday calling on them to pass legislation to protect recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Temporary Protected Status programs.
Bacow Defends Harvard Against Claims of Elitism in D.C. Panel
University President Lawrence S. Bacow discussed the challenges higher education institutions face and defended Harvard’s leading role among colleges and universities at an American Enterprise Institute and Brookings Institution panel Thursday.
Harvard Spent $600K Lobbying Congress in 2018
Harvard spent $600,000 lobbying the federal government in 2018, a figure $10,000 less than the amount the University spent in 2017. Though last year’s figure marked a slight decrease in expenses, lobbying costs have generally seen an uptick in the last five years as Harvard faces a hostile political climate.
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