Category: Federal

  • OIRA reviewed 43 significant rules in April

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    The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) reviewed a total of 43 significant regulatory actions issued by federal agencies in April 2020. The agency approved eight rules without changes and approved the intent of 31 rules while recommending changes to their content. Agencies withdrew two rules from the review process. One rule…

  • New definition of “waters of the United States” reins in federal control of water pollution

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    On April 21, the Trump administration implemented its new definition of waters that fall within the scope of those regulated under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The new waters of the United States (WOTUS) definition narrows federal jurisdiction over intrastate waters as well as groundwater, roadside ditches, converted cropland, stormwater controls, and waste treatment systems.…

  • U.S. Supreme Court to hear cases via teleconference

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    The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in five cases on May 4, 5, and 6. The court announced new procedures for conducting oral arguments via conference call. The cases had been previously postponed in March and April. The Court will use a teleconferencing system to hear oral arguments. Several new procedures were announced, including…

  • Extended candidate filing period for congressional races to end in Michigan

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    The statewide filing deadline to run for congressional offices in Michigan is on May 8, 2020. The filing period was originally set to end on April 21, but the deadline was extended by court order in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To qualify for the extended May 8 deadline, congressional candidates must have filed…

  • Ohio holds Congressional primaries

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    Ohio held primaries for each of its 16 U.S. House seats on April 28, 2020. The general election will be held on November 3. The following results are based on the Ohio Secretary of State’s unofficial election results report at 3 p.m. EDT on April 30. The Secretary of State’s office reported that there were…

  • SCOTUS issues opinions in cases concerning ACA, copyright, and NYC’s former ban on transporting firearms

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    On April 27, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued rulings in three cases argued during its October Term 2019-2020. The court has issued 29 decisions this term. Maine Community Health Options v. United States concerned the “Risk Corridors” program of Section 1342 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The case originated from…

  • Incumbent Beatty defeats Harper in OH-03

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    Incumbent Joyce Beatty defeated Morgan Harper in the Democratic primary for Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District Tuesday. This was Beatty’s first contested primary since 2012, when she was first elected to the House. As of Wednesday morning, Beatty had received 68% of the vote to Harper’s 32%. Beatty emphasized her experience in Congress, saying her record…

  • Mfume (D) defeats Klacik (R) in special general election for Maryland’s 7th Congressional District

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    Kweisi Mfume (D) defeated Kimberly Klacik (R) in the special general election for Mayland’s 7th Congressional District. He will fill the vacancy left by Elijah Cummings (D), who died in October 2019. As of Wednesday morning, Mfume led with 72.5% of the vote to Klacik’s 26.5%. Mfume cannot be sworn into office until after results…

  • U.S. Senate to reconvene May 4, House cancels plans to return to session

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    House Majority leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) canceled previously announced plans for the House to return to session on May 4. Hoyer said that he and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca.) changed the chamber’s plans after consultation with the House physician. The U.S. Senate will reconvene as scheduled on May 4. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell…

  • Federal Register weekly update; highest weekly page total since mid-March

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    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. From April 20 to April 24, the Federal Register grew by 1,466 pages for a year-to-date total of 23,204 pages. Over the same…