Spending Watch: Week of September 1, 2026 — Pentagon Books $1.3 Billion in Construction Awards in a Single Day
Two $650 million construction awards in one day, a $494 million background-check recompete, $560 million in engine money, and a deficit headed past $2 trillion — this week in federal…
Campaign Finance Watch: August — Dark Money Networks Outpace a Sidelined FEC
A 501(c)(4) network has routed $33.1 million to super PACs, corporate spending hit $517 million, and a new straw-donor complaint landed at a commission that still cannot vote.
Capitol Watch: September 1, 2026 — House Set to Clear Senate Stopgap as Shutdown Clock Ticks
The House returns with four days to pass the Senate stopgap funding bill through Dec. 11, take up contempt and censure resolutions, and restart hearings — today's congressional digest.
Federal Register Watch: September 1, 2026 — White House Declares National Emergency Over Power Grid Security
A national emergency order targets foreign-made grid equipment; plus a 300,000-ton beef quota increase, a ten-rule FRA deregulation package, First Step Act revisions, and FCC comment deadlines.
SEC Watch: September 1, 2026 — SEC and FDA Sign Market-Integrity Pact as Filing-Fraud Sweep Widens
The SEC and FDA sign an information-sharing MOU with direct consequences for biotech disclosure, the SEC charges 38 entities over allegedly fake adviser filings, former Tricolor executives face fraud charges…
Capitol Watch: August 31, 2026 — House Returns to Move FY2027 Stopgap as Shutdown Clock Ticks
The House takes up the Senate-passed FY2027 continuing resolution under suspension of the rules, Rules tees up three bills, and CBO scores export-control and inspector-general legislation.
DOJ Watch: August 31, 2026 — Walmart to Pay $50 Million Over Unlawful Opioid Prescriptions
A $50 million Walmart opioid settlement leads a busy DOJ enforcement cycle: a Russia export-control conviction, Tren de Aragua and sextortion extraditions, a $3.1M laundering sentence, a $1.75M pollution fine,…
Federal Register Watch: August 31, 2026 — White House Declares Grid-Security National Emergency
EO 14421 declares a national emergency over foreign-made power-grid equipment. Also today: a 300,000-ton beef import quota increase, expanded First Step Act credits, and an SBA rollback of public-comment procedures.
SEC Watch: Aug. 31, 2026 — SEC Charges 38 Fake Advisers in False-Filings Sweep
The SEC charges 38 entities over false adviser filings, settles AI-hype claims against GenesisAI, and drops its Stephen Buyer case, while Pilgrim's Pride discloses a $31 million JBS settlement.
Morning Wire: August 31, 2026 — Venezuela Oil Pact Faces Scrutiny as Courts Weigh Ballots and Citizenship
Monday briefing: the unreleased Venezuela oil agreement, a second block on the mail-ballot order, the successor birthright citizenship order, the Nepal-Tibet flood toll, Norway's succession, and what to watch this…