Category: Federal
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Federal Register weekly update: 400 significant rules added 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. 14, 2023, through Aug. 18, 2023, the Federal Register grew by 1,872 pages for…
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Wall Street trade group sues Missouri over rules opposing ESG in private investments
The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) is suing the state of Missouri over its recently enacted rules requiring the disclosure of ESG considerations to private investors. SIFMA claims the state overstepped its authority. Ballotpedia tracks support for and opposition to the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing movement. To learn more about…
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Number of U.S. Senators not running for re-election tied with 2022; number of House members not running below 2022 and 2018, tied with 2020
As of Aug. 15, 18 members of Congress—five Senators and 13 Representatives—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2024. This includes 13 Democrats—four in the Senate and nine in the House—as well as five Republicans—U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and four House members. The same number of U.S. Senators (5) had announced they were…
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U.S. weekly unemployment insurance claims rise to 248,000
New applications for U.S. unemployment insurance benefits rose 21,000 for the week ending August 5 to a seasonally adjusted 248,000. The previous week’s figure was unrevised. The four-week moving average as of August 5 rose 2,750 from the previous week’s unrevised average to 231,000. The number of continuing unemployment insurance claims, which refers to the…
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Federal Register weekly update: 2,852 pages added
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. 7, 2023, through Aug. 11, 2023, the Federal Register grew by 2,852 pages for…