Initially launched in 2014 by Representatives Bera and Jeff Denham (CA-10), the California Public Higher Education Caucus, or CPHEC, now includes 23 lawmakers working to “improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of California’s public higher education system,” according to the press release. CPHEC briefed Congress for the first time Feb. 13, featuring participation from the UC Office of Federal Governmental Relations Associate Vice President Chris Harrington. According to a UC Federal Update reporting on Congressional and administration activities, Harrington highlighted the importance of continued federal investment in education as well as the UC system’s commitment to “expanding access, advancing research and fostering economic growth while elevating current issues that UC is concerned about.” These issues include the current federal administration’s efforts to cut National Institutes of Health funding and the potentiality of an executive order dismantling the Departmen...