Macroeconomics
Federal Deficit Grows as Mandatory Spending, Interest Costs Rise
The federal government continues to spend more than it collects, as rising costs for major benefit programs and interest on the national debt put increasing...
Justice Department Changes Create Uncertainty in Drug Enforcement
A new Justice Department memorandum and other developments have left the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)...
Trump Budget Proposes Deep Cuts to Global Conservation Programs
The administration's fiscal 2027 budget request proposes eliminating funding for a range of international conservation programs and does not specify funding...
EPA Has Not Finalized Key PFAS Water Pollution Regulations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has broad authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in...
Senators Clash Over Golden Dome Costs, Arms Race Concerns
The Senate Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a Sept. 29 hearing to review an update on the Trump administration's Golden Dome...
Gaps in Agency Responses Leave DOGE Data Safety Unverified
Congress and the public cannot be assured that sensitive government data was properly protected when Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) teams...
National Intelligence Office Behind on Implementing Recommendations
More than four in 10 recommendations the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has directed at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence...
State Department Lacks Data On Decision Process For USAID Programs
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) terminated approximately 6,780 of 7,510 foreign assistance awards between January 2025 and March 2026,...
Election Infrastructure Group Reshuffles Federal Lobbying Team
Project for Election Infrastructure filed a new lobbying registration with Audax Strategies LLC on Sept. 25, focused on Government Issues. The registration...
Gibson Dunn Ends Lobbying for Terrorism Victims Group
A lobbying termination amendment filed Sept. 25 by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP confirms the firm's registration on behalf of Victims of Terrorism ended April 9.
Election Infrastructure Group Shifts Federal Lobbying Firms
An LDA filing summary shows Project for Election Infrastructure ended its lobbying engagement with Audax Strategies LLC effective Aug. 31, and the...
GOP's Attack on Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Backfires
The oversight hearing held yesterday over former Special Counsel Jack Smith's prosecutions of President Trump produced tension over whether Smith abused...
Disabled American Veterans Lobbies on Veteran Affairs Benefit
The disclosure covers a period when VA funding, staffing, and benefit structures were under simultaneous pressure. A 42-day lapse in VA appropriations ran...
Pureline Enters Federal Lobbying With Chemicals, Emergency Focus
Pureline, an Illinois-based chemical manufacturer, filed a lobbying registration on Sept. 26 and engaged Foxhound Advisors LLC. No prior federal lobbying...
Senate Rejects Bid to Overturn Trump ACA Marketplace Rule
The Senate rejected an effort to overturn a Trump administration rule setting payment, enrollment and benefit standards for Affordable Care Act...
TikTok Hires Akin Gump to Lobby on Trade, Export Controls
TikTok Inc. retained Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP to lobby on trade and export control policies during the second quarter of 2026, according to a...
Senate Bill Targets Foreign Support Fueling Sudan's Civil War
A bipartisan Senate bill would expand U.S. sanctions, diplomatic efforts, and financial restrictions aimed at pressuring the warring parties and their...
House Passes Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Bill
The House overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan water infrastructure bill that would authorize and modify Army Corps projects nationwide, including...