Bill Nelson joined 17 other senators to push for increased funding for the Institute of Education Sciences within the Department of Education. The group wrote to Senate appropriators to recommend $670 million (+9.3%) for IES in FY 2019. Further, the letter urges the panels to maintain support for the Regional Education Laboratories within IES. FSU coordinates the work of the REL Southeast. According the site, "The Regional Educational Laboratories work in partnership with educators and policymakers to develop and use research that improves academic outcomes for students." The IES/REL letter comes after a recommendation in President Trump's budget for FY 2019 to reduce IES by 15% and eliminate the RELs. FSU has requested that its congressional delegation push for IES and REL funding in the current appropriations cycle.

Over the next few months, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will consider funding priorities such as these that are expressed by individual members. The appropriations process for FY 2019 is not expected to conclude until after the midterm elections.