Category: Federal

  • House subcommittee addresses proxy advisory firms

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    The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets held a hearing last week on proxy advisory firms, which guide institutional investors on how to vote their shares. Opponents say proxy firms promote ESG priorities in shareholder votes—especially Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis, which control a combined 90% of the proxy advisory market. Critics…

  • President Donald Trump issued thirty-four executive orders in April

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    President Donald Trump (R) issued thirty-four executive orders in April, bringing his total to 143. To view the titles and text of each order he issued in March, click here. Trump issued 46 executive orders in January 2025, more than any other month of his presidency. He issued 30 executive orders in February 2025, fewer…

  • Trump has not officially appointed any federal judges in his second term

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    President Donald Trump (R) has not nominated any Article III federal judges through May 1, 2025, his first year of his second term in office. The average number of federal judges appointed by previous presidents through May 1 of their first year in office is 0.1. Since Ronald Reagan (R), only one president (Trump, during…

  • Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D) announces she will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026

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    Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) announced on May 5, 2025, that she will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. On her retirement, Schakowsky said in a statement, “For my entire career, I have made it my mission to mentor and guide the next generation of leaders. In fact, when I talk…

  • Trump directs agencies to skip public input to speed certain deregulations

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    What’s the story? President Donald Trump (R) issued a memorandum on April 9 directing federal administrative agencies to revoke facially unlawful regulations without the 30 to 60-day public notice and comment period the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 (APA) normally requires before agencies adopt, change, or revoke a rule. The memorandum prioritizes regulations that have been deemed…

  • Rep. Gerald Connolly announces he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026

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    Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) announced on April 28, 2025, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. On his retirement, Connolly—who previously announced in November 2024 that he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer—wrote, “After grueling treatments, we’ve learned that the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned. ……

  • USDA SNAP work requirements press release states: Those who can work, should

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    The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a press release and a memorandum on April 17 that provided guidelines from Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stating that able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) should have to work to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The memorandum covers three areas related to SNAP Agency administration of…

  • Trump issues executive order opposing state ESG policies

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    President Donald Trump (R) issued an executive order last week directing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate and block enforcement of state laws promoting ESG policies. Trump argued such laws conflict with national security and economic interests. The order lays the groundwork for federal legal challenges against state ESG laws. It reverses the dynamic…

  • Nine members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026

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    Since our March 19 update on congressional retirements, three members of the U.S. House of Representatives—one Democrat and two Republicans—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. Those representatives include: Additionally, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) announced his candidacy for Colorado governor on April 10. Since Bennet is not up for re-election until 2028, he…