House Republicans press Trump to let Jones Act waiver expire
House Speaker Mike Johnson and 51 GOP lawmakers urged Trump on July 1 to let the Jones Act waiver lapse in mid-August.
United States
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DOJ files two gun-law lawsuits
The Justice Department filed separate July 1 lawsuits against California and Virginia, challenging new firearms restrictions in both states. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/2394d5882e96b7d5980af714f1443d06))
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EOIR adds 39 immigration judges, 6 temporary judges as backlog stays above 3.49 million
United States Immigration Borders and Federal Courts – EOIR swore in 45 judges on June 17, spread across 15 states, as the immigration-court backlog remains under 3.49 million.
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Education Department finalizes earnings test that could block federal loans for low-earning programs
The Education Department finalized a national earnings rule for college programs. STATS will phase in over time, with most provisions effective July 1, 2027 and the first earnings test calculated in early 2027. ([ed.gov](https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-final-rule-hold-all-colleges-and-universities-accountable-low-earning-programs))
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GAO Says Cloud Buying Still Faces Cost and Data Problems at 24 Agencies
United States Federal Watchdogs and Public Spending – GAO says cloud buying at 24 selected federal agencies is still hampered by weak cost data, outdated rules, and split software guidance. ([files.gao.gov](https://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-26-107530/index.html))
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DOJ egg-price settlement targets alleged benchmark manipulation that lifted grocery costs
United States DOJ and Federal Law Enforcement Watch – The Justice Department and 17 states announced a proposed egg-price settlement; court approval still comes next.
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House rule vote stalls defense bill amid SAVE America Act fight
United States Congress Oversight and Policy Fights – A 198-224 House rule defeat blocked the FY2027 NDAA package and sharpened the GOP fight over SAVE America Act demands. ([clerk.house.gov](https://clerk.house.gov/Home/ViewBills))
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DOJ memo questions disability integration mandate, drawing alarm from advocates
United States Rights and Public Policy – DOJ’s June 18 OLC opinion says the ADA and Rehabilitation Act do not require states to use the most integrated setting.
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FBI seizes 13 websites in suspected China-linked recruitment scheme
Federal agents used court-authorized seizure warrants on June 10 to take over 13 domains tied to fake consulting sites that targeted current and former security-clearance holders. ([justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-fbi-disable-13-websites-backed-suspected-chinese-agents-sought-sensitive))
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Heat, storms and fire weather could complicate July Fourth travel
United States Severe Weather and Travel Disruptions – Forecasters warn that holiday travel could run into dangerous heat, storms and fire weather across parts of the U.S.
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Utah fireworks restrictions add to July Fourth wildfire risk across the West
United States Weather Safety and Emergency Alerts – Utah’s July 2-5 fireworks restriction lands as NIFC keeps national preparedness at level 4 and the Cottonwood Fire drives broader July Fourth caution.
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Heat wave triggers federal emergency action on the PJM grid
United States Infrastructure and Power Grid – DOE issued two time-limited emergency orders as PJM braced for extreme heat and projected peak demand.
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DOJ says EagleBank will pay more than $9.7 million after BSA probe
United States National Accountability Fast Follow – DOJ says EagleBank entered a non-prosecution agreement and will pay more than $9.7 million to resolve a long-running Bank Secrecy Act investigation. ([justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/eaglebank-agrees-pay-more-97-million-resolve-bank-secrecy-act-investigation))
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Two federal judges block PSLF overhaul before July 1
Two federal judges blocked the PSLF overhaul on June 30, keeping current borrower rules in place for now. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/5cbe13349bff45bea6ae5fc330d7b617))
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Supreme Court takes Arizona voting-laws appeal, setting up ballot-access fight
United States Evening Elections and Democracy Update – The justices will review Arizona citizenship-check and voter-roll rules, but the case is still at the review stage. ([supremecourt.gov](https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/25-1017.html))
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Supreme Court upholds state bans on transgender athletes in school sports
The June 30 ruling upheld Idaho and West Virginia laws and said states may keep sex-separated school teams under Title IX and the Constitution.
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Labor Department recovers $1.7 million in unpaid overtime for 1,666 workers at Tennessee Ford site
The Labor Department says a contractor underpaid overtime at a Ford EV and battery campus in Tennessee, recovering $1.73 million for 1,666 workers. ([dol.gov](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20260623))
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HHS ends COVID EUA declarations for drugs and devices
United States Public Health Safety and Legal Rules – HHS is ending COVID emergency-use declarations for drugs, biologics and devices, but the phaseout is staggered.
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Interior proposes new royalty rules for oil, gas and coal
United States Energy Environment and Federal Rules – Interior has proposed royalty changes for public-lands oil, gas and coal, including new valuation methods and a 60-day public comment window. ([doi.gov](https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-proposes-streamlined-regulations-oil-gas-and-coal))
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Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order
United States Immigration Borders and Federal Courts – The Supreme Court ruled that U.S.-born children of parents unlawfully or temporarily present are citizens at birth.
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Mortgage rates stay near 6.5% as summer homebuying rolls on
United States Housing and Mortgage Market – Freddie Mac’s 30-year benchmark was 6.49% on June 25, 2026, keeping summer buyers and refinancers under pressure. ([freddiemac.com](https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms))
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Consumer confidence edges up in June as gas prices ease, but job worries grow
United States Consumer Costs and Household Budgets – Consumer confidence rose slightly in June as gas prices eased, but job worries kept households cautious.