The CCP’s export restriction escalation on lithium batteries, medium and heavy rare earth elements, superhard materials, rare earth equipment, and rare earth-related technologies, and retaliatory actions designed to mirror the United States’ Section 301 shipping fees* (commencing on October 14), have created a flurry of advanced technology geopolitical activity today. The CCP’s enhanced export restrictions […]

Day 2 of the shutdown is underway with no agreement in sight to reopen the government. We expect the Trump Administration to take additional steps today to increase pressure on Democrats, including possible RIF announcements and other agency actions. Below are several resources for your use: Possible Reduction in Force (RIF) action: President Trump will […]

Good evening: with less than four hours left until a government shutdown begins, we are sharing two documents issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) this evening: The first is a “go ahead” memo from Director Russ Vought directing agency heads to begin executing their shutdown contingency plans. The second is a Frequently […]

With just two days to go until September 30, a government shutdown remains highly likely. While tomorrow’s meeting at the White House with the “Big Four” Congressional leaders could yield a surprise, we view the odds of any last-minute breakthrough as low, with both sides entrenching further into their respective positions over the weekend. As […]

Last week, the House passed its version of the FY26 annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a yearly national security policy package that has been signed into law every year for over the past five decades. While there were provisions on China, supply chains, and AI in the base text that the House Armed Services […]

Welcome back. As summer turns to fall, Washington returns to a heavy slate of legislative tasks amidst a growing backdrop of intra-party and intra-branch showdowns. While the annual September 30 government funding deadline looms large, Congress will also grapple with potential changes to Senate rules for nominations and floor consideration of the FY 2026 National […]

Washington has quieted down with the start of the congressional August Recess. That said, there are a number of items we continue to track that are outlined below. We are happy to provide additional color on anything of particular interest. *** Artificial Intelligence / Chips In addition to opposition from China hawks and congressional Democrats, […]

While the House has recessed until after Labor Day, the Senate is back in session today through the end of this week, and perhaps beyond if necessary, pending progress on nominations. There are several moving parts this week as follows: Nominations. The Senate will work through a list of nominations, cloture on which has been […]

Tonight, the House Republican Steering Committee selected Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) to be the next Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Rep. Mark Green (R-TN). Four candidates competed for the post: Garbarino; Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), former mayor of Miami-Dade County; Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS), […]

After several fits and starts to begin the week, the House finally cleared the first procedural hurdle late last night that had been stalling legislative action, breaking another record for the longest vote in House history in the process. The ongoing drama around the initial rule vote-tied to objections over crypto policy as well as […]