House Passes Appropriations Bill

The Treasury Department intensifies economic pressure on Iran through Operation Economic Outcast, suspending aviation licenses and sanctioning dozens of entities while implementing a presumption of denial for Iran-related transactions. Meanwhile, new enforcement actions target Chinese cybercrime platforms, Ecuadorian terrorist organizations, and Israeli settlers, as Congress considers comprehensive Russia-Iran sanctions legislation.

Global sanctions enforcement intensifies as the US expands its economic pressure campaigns against Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela while the UK and EU strengthen their Russia sanctions frameworks. Meanwhile, China pushes back against US sanctions targeting its companies over alleged Iran ties, and a Dutch chipmaker faces asset freezes amid a complex ownership dispute involving Chinese courts.

On August 10, a group of 19 Republican Senators joined their Democratic colleagues in approving a bill that, if passed by the House of Representatives and signed...

This bulletin discusses and advises about the recent flurry of activity from the Trump Administration directing a freeze on the expenditure of certain federal funds. We summarize the current status of the now.

The Department of Justice announced a $25 million settlement with Accenture Federal Services over allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by falsely certifying compliance with anti-discrimination requirements while allegedly using race or sex in hiring, promotion, and access to professional development programs. This marks the third major DEI-related FCA enforcement action in 2026, following similar settlements with IBM and Deloitte.

The Department of Justice secured a $2 million settlement with Honeywell Aerospace for allegedly failing to comply with NIST SP 800-171 cybersecurity requirements under a Department of War contract. This case demonstrates how cybersecurity compliance failures can trigger False Claims Act liability even without an actual data breach or cyberattack, and highlights the growing role of whistleblowers in exposing contractors' gaps between contractual obligations and actual security practices.

President Trump has nominated Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the FDA, bringing a policy expert with experience in medical marijuana reform, vaccine policy, and drug access initiatives. Her prior positions on mifepristone regulation, childhood vaccination schedules, and pharmaceutical innovation offer insight into potential agency priorities. The nomination faces a contested Senate confirmation process as stakeholders assess how her health policy background may shape FDA's regulatory approach.

Massachusetts voters will decide nine statewide ballot questions in November 2026 that could fundamentally reshape the state's legal, regulatory, and fiscal landscape. These measures address government transparency, election reforms, housing development, marijuana regulation, firearms laws, and state revenue limits, with implications extending far beyond Election Day to implementation, regulation, and ongoing policy debates.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has preliminarily enjoined the Department of War from enforcing WuXi AppTec's Section 1260H designation, finding the agency misread its evidence on state and military affiliation. However, this ruling does not close alternative pathways to biotechnology company of concern (BCC) designation under the BIOSECURE Act, and earlier supply-chain restrictions continue to drive near-term compliance decisions with a critical June 30, 2027 deadline for sub-tier supp

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has advanced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would fundamentally restructure Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, marking the most significant regulatory overhaul in over 20 years. The proposed changes would shift the consultation process from a multi-step framework to an agency-prepared report system, narrow the scope of protected properties, and grant federal agencies greater unilateral authority in resolving adverse effects.

Landlords of rent stabilized buildings in New York City have filed a lawsuit challenging the rent freeze passed by the Rent Guidelines Board, questioning the Board's independence and data integrity. With operating costs rising 31% over five years while the Board voted 7-1 for a freeze affecting 1 million apartments, the case raises critical questions about the balance between tenant protection and landlord viability.

The U.S. seized one of North Korea's largest bulk carrier vessels for allegedly shipping illicit coal and heavy machinery in violation of U.S. and UN sanctions.

The SEC named Adam S. Aderton as the new co-chief of the Asset Management Unit's Enforcement Division. Mr. Aderton, who replaces Anthony Kelly, will share the position with Dabney O'Riordan.

On February 25, 2026, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC") issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (the "NPRM") to implement the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (the "GENIUS Act").

FINRA proposed a rule amendment to restrict access to representative- and principal-level qualification scores.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) examines its portfolio of rated subscriptions facilities in a report published this week. The report reviews KBRA's $11.3 billion of rated debt portfolio spanning over 40 funds...

The New York State legislature passed the "Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act" (the "SHIELD Act") to enhance cybersecurity

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed the Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) Coverage Pathway, designed to accelerate Medicare coverage for breakthrough-designated medical devices by aligning CMS coverage review with FDA premarket review.

According to the Coller Capital Global Private Equity Barometer, a global survey on private market investors published last week, a third of North American LPs and 52% of APAC LPs believe public...

On May 23, 2024, the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (the "J5") published an advisory note for financial institutions, identifying red flags associated with crypto-related illicit activities.