Let's Talk FCA (Podcast)

The Small Business Administration has extended the comment period for two proposed rules that could dramatically reshape federal government contracting by significantly expanding the pool of entities eligible for small business set-aside procurements. With some size standard thresholds proposed to increase as much as tenfold, these changes would fundamentally alter the makeup of the small business contractor base.

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

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.

Never. In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Speaker of the House could not exclude a duly-elected candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.

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.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration launched MOTUS in May 2026, replacing legacy registration platforms and fundamentally changing how motor carriers, freight brokers, and surface freight forwarders handle operating authority applications and license maintenance. While designed to combat fraud and streamline registration activities, the transition has created significant user experience challenges that threaten operating authority status and customer relationships for transportation service prov

This comprehensive sanctions update examines the US delisting of Venezuelan politician Jorge Rodriguez amid diplomatic negotiations and energy sector expansion, while tracking global sanctions developments including new US restrictions on Iranian banks, UK measures targeting hostile Iranian activities, EU designations for sanctions circumvention, and China's proposed export controls on advanced technologies.

The US has authorized Russian diesel imports while simultaneously expanding sanctions against the International Criminal Court and Iran's shadow fleet. These developments highlight tensions between energy security concerns and sanctions enforcement, as international partners express divergence over US policy directions.

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 Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 has become law, imposing sweeping sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and shadow fleet vessels while authorizing tariffs up to 100 percent on major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas. How will these new measures impact global trade relationships, particularly with China and India as the largest buyers of Russian crude?

The Small Business Administration has extended the comment period for two proposed rules that could dramatically reshape federal government contracting by significantly expanding the pool of entities eligible for small business set-aside procurements. With some size standard thresholds proposed to increase as much as tenfold, these changes would fundamentally alter the makeup of the small business contractor base.

President Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law on September 18, 2026, establishing mandatory tariffs of up to 500% on Russian goods and up to 100% on goods from countries that continue to buy Russian energy. The Act targets major importers like China, India, and Turkey, with limited relief mechanisms including natural gas exceptions, presidential waivers, and a 270-day winddown period for entities divesting from Russian operations.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a final rule fundamentally restructuring how airlines report flight delays and cancellations, creating a new reporting category that removes ten specific events from the traditional "Air Carrier" category. This regulatory change, mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and effective October 2026, will significantly impact how airline performance is measured and perceived by consumers, while reducing carriers' customer service obligations for certain

The U.S.-China trade truce has been extended through January 10, 2027, pushing back the effective date of the Bureau of Industry and Security's Affiliates Rule. While the suspension delays immediate compliance obligations, the rule remains in place and companies should use this additional time to prepare their compliance programs before the suspension potentially expires.

The Federal Trade Commission takes decisive action on multiple fronts, from scrutinizing healthcare mergers in Ohio to extending comment periods on personalized pricing policies. Meanwhile, a major payment processor faces millions in penalties for allegedly facilitating merchant fraud and deceptive telemarketing schemes.

The European Union has replaced its expiring steel safeguard measures with a permanent Steel Overcapacity Regulation, cutting duty-free steel imports by an average of 47% and raising the out-of-quota tariff from 25% to 50%. The new framework introduces a complex tariff-rate quota system distributed across 26 product categories, with country-specific allocations based on historical import shares and special treatment for FTA partners. A groundbreaking "melt and pour" traceability requirement will gradually s

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is considering sweeping regulatory changes that would require importers to provide unprecedented visibility into their supply chains, including foreign export documentation, global business identifiers, and AI-driven tracing technologies. These proposed amendments stem from Executive Order 14411 and could fundamentally reshape compliance obligations for companies importing goods into the United States. CBP is seeking public comment on 64 questions by December 1, 2026, offe

The U.S. Department of Commerce has launched antidumping and countervailing duty investigations targeting linear hydraulic cylinders from five countries, with petitioners advocating for an unusually broad scope that would trace component origins through multi-country supply chains and apply duties even after third-country assembly.

Manufacturers of connected products must now comply with the EU Cyber Resilience Act's vulnerability and incident reporting obligations through ENISA's newly launched Single Reporting Platform. This comprehensive guide addresses the critical question every manufacturer faces: can your organization report a cybersecurity incident within 24 hours if one occurs tonight?

The European Commission's Industrial Accelerator Act introduces sweeping changes to the automotive sector, establishing new "Made in the EU" requirements for electric vehicles and imposing conditions on foreign investments in battery manufacturing and critical raw materials.