Category: Federal
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JP Morgan Asset Management reduces restrictions on defense investment
JP Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) lifted defense-related investment exclusions across dozens of its United Kingdom and European funds, according to notices issued to shareholders. The changes allow those funds to invest in a wider range of defense and aerospace companies and apply to 95 Luxembourg-based funds, 29 Ireland-based funds, and five environmental, social, and corporate…
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House passes bill limiting ESG use in retirement plans
On Jan. 15, 2026, the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act (H.R. 2988) by a 213–205 vote, advancing legislation that would limit when fiduciaries may consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in employer-sponsored retirement plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Rep. Rick…
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ESG-related policy during the first year of the second Trump administration
During the first year of President Donald Trump’s (R) second administration, federal agencies took a series of actions affecting environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in financial regulation, labor policy, environmental reporting, and corporate governance. Rather than a single sweeping change, these actions occurred through several mediums including rule withdrawals, enforcement decisions, and shifts in…
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Rep. Vern Buchanan becomes the 49th U.S. House member who is not seeking re-election in 2026
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) announced on Jan. 27, 2026, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. In a statement announcing his retirement, Buchanan wrote, “I came to Congress to solve problems, to fight for working families and to help ensure this country remains a place where opportunity is…
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Eleven states take action on federal school choice tax credit program in January
As of Jan. 26, 11 states had taken action this month to indicate participation in the federal school choice tax credit program. Twenty-one states in total have indicated participation in the program. Entities designated under each state's law to make elections on behalf of the state regarding federal tax benefits can decide to opt a…
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Mandatory Medicaid work requirements are coming, what do they look like now?
The 2025 budget reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), established mandatory work requirements for certain able-bodied Medicaid recipients beginning in 2027. By creating a federal mandate, the OBBBA significantly changed the national landscape of Medicaid work requirements and states must respond by designing and implementing systems to comply, or risk losing federal…
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Rep. Julia Letlow becomes the 15th U.S. House member to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026
Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) announced on Jan. 20, 2026, that she will run to represent Louisiana in the U.S. Senate in 2026 rather than for another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) is also running in the Republican primary. As of Jan. 20, 2026, independent race forecasters The Cook…
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First year of Trump's second term by the numbers
One year ago today, Donald Trump (R) assumed office as the 47th president of the United States, making him one of only two presidents in U.S. history to serve two non-consecutive terms. Here’s a closer look at the first year of his second administration, by the numbers. Executive actions: During the first year of his…
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Investor group urges SEC to oppose forced arbitration
On Nov. 6, 2025, the Council of Institutional Investors (CII) sent a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul S. Atkins opposing recent SEC actions related to mandatory arbitration clauses in public company registration statements. Mandatory arbitration provisions can limit investors’ ability to bring claims in court, pursue class actions, or rely on…
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House passes three-year extension of expanded ACA subsidies
On Jan. 8, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, also known as the expanded premium tax credit (ePTC), for three years. Seventeen Republicans joined Democrats to pass the measure 230–196. The legislation would revive the ePTC, which expired on December 31, 2025. Supporters said the vote…