Category: Federal

  • Checks and Balances: FTC expands interpretation of its antitrust enforcement authority

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    The Checks and Balances Letter delivers news and information from Ballotpedia’s Administrative State Project, including pivotal actions at the federal and state levels related to the separation of powers, due process and the rule of law. This edition:  In this month’s edition of Checks and Balances, we review a recent vote from the Federal Trade…

  • A look back at government responses to the coronavirus pandemic, Aug. 17-21, 2020

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    Although the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020, it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout the year, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, issued mask mandates, and changed election dates. Here are the policy changes that happened Aug. 17-21,…

  • Federal Register weekly update: Seven significant final rules added

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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 overall regulatory activity, accounting for both regulatory and deregulatory actions. From August 9 through August 13, the Federal Register grew by 1,392 pages for a…

  • One year ago, Trump administration announced $1.5 billion agreement with Moderna for 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine

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    One year ago this week, President Donald Trump’s (R) administration, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD), announced a $1.5 billion agreement with Moderna Inc. to develop and deliver 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This was the third vaccine deal announced last year. Here are…

  • Status of President Biden’s federal judicial nominees so far

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    President Joe Biden’s (D) most recent federal judicial nominations were submitted to the U.S. Senate on Aug. 5. The three new nominees are: Charlotte Sweeney, to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado Mary Dimke, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington Beth Robinson, to the United…

  • Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) announces retirement

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    U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D) announced Tuesday that he will not run for re-election in 2022. Kind has represented Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District since 1997. He said in his announcement, “For 26 years, I’ve flown to and from Washington, DC and traveled the 18 counties of the most beautiful Congressional District in the Nation almost…

  • Federal Register weekly update: Thirteen significant documents added

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    Photo of the White House in Washington, D.C.

    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 overall regulatory activity, accounting for both regulatory and deregulatory actions. From August 2 through August 6, the Federal Register grew by 2,000 pages for a…

  • Reps. Billy Long, Conor Lamb announce they will run for Senate next year

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    U.S. Representatives Conor Lamb (D-Penn.) and Billy Long (R-Mo.) both announced last week that they would run for the U.S. Senate in 2022. Lamb will run for the seat currently held by Sen. Pat Toomey (R). Long will run for the seat currently held by Sen. Roy Blunt (R). Toomey and Blunt are both retiring.…

  • OIRA reviewed 43 significant rules in July

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    Photo of the White House in Washington, D.C.

    The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) reviewed a total of 43 significant regulatory actions issued by federal agencies in July 2021. The agency approved no rules without changes and approved the intent of 38 rules while recommending changes to their content. Five rules were withdrawn from the review process. OIRA reviewed…

  • Shontel Brown wins Democratic primary in Ohio’s 11th District special election

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    Shontel Brown won the special Democratic primary for Ohio’s 11th Congressional District on Aug. 3. As of 11 p.m. ET, Brown had received 50% of the vote to Nina Turner’s 44%. Eleven other candidates split 6%. Brown serves on the Cuyahoga County Council and chairs the county’s Democratic Party. She previously served on the Warrensville…