United States: Freedom to Fix update—EPA clarifies emissions repairs & SEMA
United States White House and Federal Power Watch – After the June 29 memo, EPA recognizes SEMA’s SC‑E as tampering‑policy documentation for compliant emissions repairs.
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Judge quashes DOJ subpoena for Fulton election workers’ personal contact info
A federal judge quashed a DOJ grand jury subpoena seeking Fulton County election workers’ names and personal contact information—sparking nationwide privacy stakes.
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Preliminary injunction blocks Philadelphia ‘ICE Out’ rules — federal officers
On July 2, a judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Philadelphia from enforcing key “ICE Out” mask and ID rules against federal officers.
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United States Congress and Budget Watch: H.R. 9501 AI tax integrity—what’s next
House Ways & Means advanced a seven-bill tax administration package on July 1, including H.R. 9501 on using AI for fraud detection and oversight.
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OPM performance rating rules change: Jan. 1, 2027 starts for non-SES
OPM’s July 7 final rule revamps non-SES performance ratings and disputes—ban removed on forced/standardized distributions, Level 2 removed, and compliance starts Jan. 1, 2027.
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GAO finds repeated federal cloud procurement hurdles on cost and guidance
GAO’s June 23, 2026 report says 24 CFO Act agencies still struggle with cloud procurement—cost control, conflicting OMB/NIST guidance, and outdated FAR.
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Fifth Circuit orders 90-day bond hearings for prolonged ICE detention
A divided Fifth Circuit ruled July 2 that some prolonged ICE detainees must receive an individualized bond hearing within 90 days; removal cases continue.
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FTC’s Havas digital-advertising settlement: how the order could change “brand safety” deals tied to politics
FTC’s Havas settlement order approved June 30, 2026 runs 10 years, limiting how Havas can coordinate “brand safety” deals based on “Covered Bases.”
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Election security bill S.4849 would send $10 billion via EAC grants
S.4849, the State and Local Election Security Act of 2026, would authorize $10B through EAC grants—aiming for quicker local election security upgrades.
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FDA OKs modified-risk marketing claim for 20 ZYN nicotine pouches—what changes
United States Public Health Safety and Legal Rules – FDA’s June 30, 2026 order lets Swedish Match market 20 ZYN nicotine pouches with a specific “lower risk” claim.
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EPA proposes extending PFAS PFOA/PFOS compliance to 2031—hearing July 7, comments by July 20
United States Energy Environment and Federal Rules – July 7 hearing and July 20 comments on EPA’s proposal to let some water systems extend PFAS compliance to 2031.
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ED opens Title IX probe of Buncombe County Schools restroom allegations
United States Education and Civil Rights Policy – OCR opened a Title IX investigation into Buncombe County Schools’ restroom policy. Here’s what to expect.
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SBA clarifies $10m combined 7(a)+504 loan limit effective July 4
United States Small Business and Main Street Economy – Starting July 4, SBA clarifies how 7(a) and 504 maximum limits can be coordinated for up to $10m total financing.
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Freddie Mac mortgage rates edged lower again—30-year fixed averaged 6.43%
Freddie Mac’s PMMS for the week ending July 2, 2026 shows 30-year fixed at 6.43% (down from 6.49%) and 15-year at 5.79%.
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U.S. jobs report: unemployment 4.2% in June; earnings rise slightly
The BLS June jobs report (out July 2) kept unemployment at 4.2% and showed small earnings gains and work-hour shifts that affect paychecks.
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Supreme Court keeps Fed Gov. Lisa Cook in her job for now in Trump v. Cook
On June 29, the Supreme Court denied a stay request in Trump v. Cook, keeping a preliminary injunction in place while the case continues.
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Labor, HHS, Treasury propose ‘excepted fertility benefits’—comments due July 13, 2026
United States Fresh Federal Documents and Draft Reports – Labor, HHS and Treasury propose ‘excepted fertility benefits,’ with a $120,000 cap. Comments due July 13, 2026.
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Supreme Court keeps Texas app age-verification law in place while case continues
United States Breaking National Politics — The Supreme Court’s July 6 emergency-docket denials leave Texas’s app age-verification and parental-consent rules in effect for now.
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Supreme Court Declines Review in New York COVID Vaccine Religious-Accommodation Case
United States Religion Government and Civil Rights — June 29, 2026: Supreme Court declined review in Doe v. Hochul, leaving Title VII religious-accommodation dispute.
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GAO: DOE nuclear waste “mission need” can lock in solutions early
United States Federal Watchdogs and Public Spending – GAO says DOE’s nuclear waste “mission need” stage names a preferred fix early, despite rules to keep options open.
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DOJ updates White House UFC plot cases: 2 more arrests, obstruction charge
U.S. DOJ says the White House UFC Freedom 250 plot case grew with two more FBI arrests and an obstruction charge tied to Signal messages.
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Religious Liberty Commission Draft Report: Public Comments Due July 13
DOJ says the Religious Liberty Commission delivered a draft report with 12 recommendations to the President. Public comments close July 13.