No members of the U.S. Congress have announced plans to not seek re-election in 2026 since Nov. 27. That means the total number of congressional retirements for 2026 remains at one. The last incumbent to announce their retirement was Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who said he would not seek re-election to the U.S. House of…
President-elect Donald Trump announced last week that he will nominate Paul Atkins as the next Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman. Atkins’ views on ESG differ from those of current SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. For example, Atkins wrote a letter opposing the SEC’s 2022 proposed climate disclosure rules, arguing they overstepped the agency’s delegated authority.…
President Joe Biden (D) has appointed and the U.S. Senate has confirmed 221 Article III federal judges through December 1, 2024, his fourth year in office. This is the second-most Article III judicial appointments through this point in all presidencies since President Ronald Reagan (R). The average number of federal judges appointed by previous presidents…
Donald Trump (R) announced on Dec. 4, 2024, that he had selected former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) as his nominee for administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). This position requires Senate confirmation. In a statement, Trump said, “Small Businesses are the backbone of our Great Economy. Kelly will bring her experience in business…
President Joe Biden (D) issued one executive order in November, bringing his total to 143. The order he issued in Nov. was: Biden issued 25 executive orders in January 2021, more than any other month of his presidency. He did not issue any executive orders in November 2022, January 2023, January 2024, May 2024, August…
Donald Trump (R) announced on Nov. 26, 2024, that he had selected Jamieson Greer as his nominee for U.S. trade representative. This position requires Senate confirmation. In a statement, Trump said, “Jamieson will focus the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on reining in the Country’s massive Trade Deficit, defending American Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Services,…
SEC Chairman Gary Gensler announced Nov. 21 that he will leave his position effective Jan. 20, 2025, at the end of Joe Biden’s (D) presidency. Trump will name his replacement. Gensler promoted policies supportive of ESG investing as chairman, including a set of rules requiring climate-related corporate disclosures. Most commentators believe Trump’s replacement will likely…
Donald Trump (R) announced on Nov. 22, 2024, that he had selected Scott Turner as his nominee for secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This position requires Senate confirmation. In a statement, Trump said, “Scott is an NFL Veteran, who, during my First Term, served as the First Executive Director…
Donald Trump (R) announced on Nov. 23, 2024, that he had selected Brooke Rollins as his nominee for secretary of Agriculture. This position requires Senate confirmation. In a statement, Trump said, “Brooke’s commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none.”…
Donald Trump (R) announced on Nov. 22, 2024, that he had selected U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R) as his nominee for secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. This position requires Senate confirmation. In a statement, Trump said, “Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America’s workforce, and support the hardworking…