Category: Federal
-
Vanguard joins BlackRock in reducing support for ESG shareholder proposals
Fox Business reported on August 29 that Vanguard—the second largest asset manager in the world and the largest manager of passive funds—reduced its support for pro-ESG proxy proposals during the past shareholder season. The report followed news that BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager (measured by assets under management) also supported fewer ESG proposals. Ballotpedia…
-
Article III judicial vacancies check-in
According to the latest vacancy data from the U.S. Courts, there were 24 total announced upcoming vacancies for Article III judgeships. Article III judgeships refer to federal judges who serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of International Trade, one of the 13 U.S. courts of appeal, or one of the 94 U.S.…
-
Biden issued executive orders on national security technologies and Coast Guard personnel management in August
President Joe Biden (D) issued two executive orders in August, bringing his total number to 121. The two orders he issued in August were: Executive Order on United States Coast Guard Officer Personnel Management (Aug. 14, 2023) Executive Order on Addressing United States Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern…
-
OIRA reviewed 57 significant rules in August
The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in August 2023 reviewed 57 significant regulatory actions issued by federal agencies. OIRA approved five of these rules with no changes and approved the intent of 49 rules while recommending changes to their content. Two rules were withdrawn from the review process by the issuing…
-
Federal Register weekly update: Tops 60,000 pages
The Federal Register is a daily journal of federal government activity that includes presidential documents, proposed and final rules, and public notices. It is a common measure of an administration’s regulatory activity, accounting for both regulatory and deregulatory actions. From Aug. 28, 2023, through Sept. 1, 2023, the Federal Register grew by 2,070 pages for…
-
The 118th Congress sees its lowest-ever approval rating average in August
At the end of August, approval polling averages showed President Joe Biden (D) at 41% approval. Fifty-four percent of voters disapproved of his performance. This was one point lower than the approval rating he received at the end of July. Throughout August, Biden’s approval rating remained between 41% and 42%. The lowest approval rating he’s…
-
Federal Register weekly update: Highest weekly significant document total so far in 2023
The Federal Register is a daily journal of federal government activity that includes presidential documents, proposed and final rules, and public notices. It is a common measure of an administration’s regulatory activity, accounting for both regulatory and deregulatory actions. From Aug. 21, 2023, through Aug. 25, 2023, the Federal Register grew by 1,750 pages for…
-
New federal SNAP work requirements take effect September 1
Starting September 1, 2023, new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rules go into effect requiring some older Americans to work to qualify for food assistance, while also exempting other groups from working. These SNAP work requirement modifications were included in the Fiscal Responsibility Act enacted on June 3, 2023, as part of the negotiations between…
-
August Tracker: Article III federal judicial nominations by president by days in office since 2001
There were 890 authorized federal judicial posts and 71 vacancies as of August 18, 2023. Seventy of those were for Article III judgeships. This report is limited to Article III courts, where appointees are confirmed to lifetime judgeships. By August 1, 2023—924 days in office—President Joe Biden (D) had nominated 176 judges to Article III…
-
U.S. weekly unemployment insurance claims fall to 239,000
New applications for U.S. unemployment insurance benefits fell 11,000 for the week ending August 12 to a seasonally adjusted 239,000. The previous week’s figure was revised up by 2,000 to 250,000. The four-week moving average as of August 12 rose 2,750 from the previous week’s revised average to 234,250. The number of continuing unemployment insurance…