SBA’s Proposed Size Changes: By The Numbers (Video)

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 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.

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.

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 Lobby Shop team discusses Kamala Harris choosing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate. Liam takes a (humble) victory lap for being one of the first to flag Walz as a possible pick...

Directs the Secretary of State to designate a foreign country as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention for wrongfully detaining American citizens in foreign countries...

The SEC published new instructions for the submission of draft registration statements by emerging growth companies (as permitted under the JOBS Act).

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

A federal court in Illinois recently dismissed a False Claims Act cybersecurity case against Archer Daniels Midland, ruling that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate that alleged cybersecurity deficiencies were material to the government's payment decisions. The decision provides critical guidance on what plaintiffs must prove to successfully bring FCA claims based on cybersecurity noncompliance, particularly regarding materiality requirements that go beyond mere contractual conditions of payment.

The Department of Defense has suspended Phase II of its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, halting the planned November 2026 requirement for third-party cybersecurity assessments of defense contractors. While Phase I self-assessment requirements remain in effect, DoD has launched a 60-day review to address industry concerns about compliance costs and barriers to participation in the Defense Industrial Base.

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that Salvadoran Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries remain protected despite the September 9, 2026 expiration date, though no formal announcement has been made regarding the program's future. This development raises critical questions about employer obligations and the potential scenarios that may unfold, including termination with a 60-day notice period or an extension of the designation.

Andrew Boutros was interviewed November 26th by the CBC News Network, "Is Michael Flynn working with U.S. federal prosecutors?"

Michael Wexler was interviewed July 25 on a What Happens Next in Six Minutes Podcast,

All the President's Budget.

Landmark legislation in the United Arab Emirates (the "UAE") has recently been passed which formalizes a framework to allow for relaxed rules on foreign investment into the country and, most importantly, for 100% of foreign ownership in certain sectors.

California lawmakers have sent Senate Bill 690 to Governor Gavin Newsom, teeing up a narrowing of website-tracking litigation under the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), who has until September 30 to sign or veto the legislation. If signed, the bill would eliminate private lawsuits asserting website-based “pen register” and “trap and trace” claims under Section 638.51 of CIPA. For businesses that have received demand letters or are defending lawsuits premised on routine website technologies—such as cookies, pixels, analytics tools, or similar tracking technology—the bill would offer relief from certain types of claims asserted under CIPA.

In July 2018, a study of the effect of open workspaces on human interaction revealed a decrease in face-to-face interaction and an associated increase in electronic communication.

In Italy, at the moment, discussions on the future of the world of work generally focus on remote working, but the gradual introduction of the short (four-day) week for equal pay is the hottest topic on the minds of employers.

Acosta to Testify Before House Ed and Labor. The House Committee on Education and Labor has set a time for their questioning of Labor Secretary Alex Acosta.

The EEOC has officially adopted its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030, establishing an institutional framework that will guide the agency's enforcement, outreach, and internal operations through the end of the decade. This comprehensive plan sets forth three strategic goals with seventeen performance measures, revealing how the agency intends to allocate resources, measure success, and hold itself accountable while maintaining a 90% litigation win rate and expanding its systemic enforcement program.