Smithsonian Budget Request Would Fall 11% as Congress Weighs Funding
The Smithsonian is seeking $961.3 million for fiscal 2027 as Congress debates funding, museum construction and the institution’s independence.
Congress
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White House Reconciliation Push Has House Blueprint but No Senate Deal
The House approved a budget framework, but the Senate left for recess without acting on the package, making September the next political test.
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Senate examines the consumer cost of AI-driven surveillance pricing
A Senate hearing examined personalized pricing, electronic shelf labels and consumer-data use while stressing that no nationwide grocery-pricing rule has changed.
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Senate funding vote moves deadline to Dec. 11, but bill is not law
The Senate voted 90-6 on a stopgap funding bill, but the House and president must still act before the proposed December 11 deadline takes effect.
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Pentagon gives defense companies 21 days to propose faster weapons output
The Pentagon is seeking faster delivery and higher production plans as it works to replenish munitions stocks under pressure after the Iran war.
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CFPB’s future remains unsettled after court pauses layoff case
A July 10 court pause leaves the CFPB’s proposed layoffs and legal status unresolved while Senate action and consumer complaint access remain in focus.
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GAO says federal agencies still lack reliable ways to measure whether programs work
A new GAO assessment says agencies often track spending and participation without enough goals, outcome data or evaluations to show whether programs work.
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GAO finds process failures in federal watchdog oversight panel
A GAO audit found missed deadlines, incomplete records and weak oversight in the federal panel that reviews allegations against inspectors general.
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Postal watchdog outlines 15 options for USPS financial gap
A July 22 white paper lays out 15 possible revenue and cost changes for the U.S. Postal Service, including workforce, benefits and service options.
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NTSB urges Congress to resolve aviation bill during recess
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy urged Congress on July 27, 2026, to work through unresolved aviation-safety legislation during the August recess after lawmakers left without passing a final bill.
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GAO Warns Federal Debt Has Surpassed the Size of the U.S. Economy
The Government Accountability Office says publicly held federal debt temporarily exceeded the size of the U.S. economy and could reach 120% of the economy by 2036 without policy changes.
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D.C. Circuit says Trump cannot build White House ballroom without Congress
A divided federal appeals panel upheld an injunction blocking above-ground construction of the planned White House ballroom unless Congress approves the project.
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GAO says agencies need stronger oversight of federal workforce changes
A Government Accountability Office review released July 20 says implementation and oversight of recent workforce changes at the Office of Personnel Management require attention from Congress and federal agencies.
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Senate leaders unveil stopgap funding deal aimed at keeping federal agencies open past midterm elections
Senate leaders unveiled a short-term spending bill on August 2 that would keep federal agencies funded past the November midterm elections and into early December, but the proposal is not yet law.
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Senate leaders unveil short-term funding plan aimed at pushing shutdown risk past midterms
Senate leaders introduced a proposal on Aug. 2 to fund federal agencies into early December, but the measure still requires congressional approval and presidential enactment.
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GAO says many federal programs still lack clear goals and useful performance data
A Government Accountability Office report says agencies often lack the goals and data needed to judge whether taxpayer-funded programs are achieving their intended results.
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GAO says DHS border-security metrics still conflict with statutory definitions
A Government Accountability Office review found that 19 of the 40 border-security metrics reported by DHS in its 2023 submission differed in scope or calculation from definitions set by federal law.
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GAO Says Many Federal Programs Lack Clear Goals and Data to Show Whether They Work
A new Government Accountability Office review of 15 programs at five federal agencies found that many lack clearly defined goals or useful data for measuring results.
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Pentagon AI rollout races ahead of oversight deadlines
The Pentagon is expanding AI use across classified systems while key oversight documents required by a June memorandum remain publicly unverified.
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Maryland lawmakers send congressional redistricting amendment to voters for 2028 maps
Maryland lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment for voter consideration that could allow a new congressional map before the 2028 elections, but Maryland’s current districts and the 2026 election remain unchanged.
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Senate Hearing Examines How AI Could Change Jobs and Workplace Rules
A July 29 Senate hearing examined how AI may alter jobs, hiring and career pathways as federal projections show growth in some fields and declines in others.
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PROMISE Act would push Congress toward a Social Security plan
The bipartisan PROMISE Act would set a process and deadlines for a long-term Social Security plan, but would not change benefits or taxes now.