American Politics & Economy Pulse

No significant updates today.

Immigration Policy Updates

• 🔥 DHS Ends Duration of Status: DHS published a July 17 final rule ending duration of status for F, J, and I...

On July 17, 2026, DHS published a final rule replacing "duration of status" with fixed admission periods for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, effective...

• Data centers will consume about 20% of U.S. electricity by 2035 from AI demand, reaching 194 gigawatts.
• Bloomberg raised its forecast 83%, citing...

LatinoJustice's 2026 report shows aggressive state-level pushes for voting protections following the Callais ruling's weakening of federal VRA...

The PROMISE Act's push for fast-tracked reform through an unelected advisory board clashes with inflation's direct pressure on benefits.

AARP warns...

The Supreme Court confronts external reform demands and internal security needs that both signal eroding public confidence.

• Reform proposals:...

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold rates at 3.5%-3.75% next week, yet surging oil prices above $100 have lifted the odds of a hike later...

Union Pacific gains operating rights on CN's Elgin, Joliet & Eastern corridor around Chicago, while CN secures new access over Union Pacific lines...

The Senate HELP Committee's July 29 hearing on AI's workforce impact marks the clearest sign yet that Congress is shifting from privacy-focused AI...

Labor Market Trends

• Unemployment Claims Drop: First-time applications for US unemployment benefits fell this week amid a report showing only...

The Trump administration is conditioning roughly $1 billion in anti-terrorism grants on states adopting hand-marked ballots, 5% audits, voter roll...

The CRS report revives debate over switching Social Security COLAs to the retiree-focused R-CPI-E, which historically outpaces the CPI-W used...

• Wilbur Ross flags Trump's dilemma: high oil prices from the Iran conflict risk voter fury over affordability, while early withdrawal invites attacks...

The Trump DOJ's new guidance expands religious liberty protections by incorporating recent Supreme Court rulings like Kennedy v. Bremerton and...

Question: What does the DOJ's sudden withdrawal of subpoenas for New York Times journalists reveal about its media approach?

• Judge Subramanian's...

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin is under fire for policy moves made without presidential sign-off.

• Unilateral ICE order: Mullin halted nationwide...

• Sen. Welch and Rep. Courtney joined the U.S. Student Association at a Capitol Hill press conference to push the Student Loan Interest Elimination...

A federal panel denied a preliminary injunction, allowing Tennessee's new congressional map to split Memphis's majority-Black district for the August...

Dual pressure builds in U.S. housing as apartment markets tighten and mortgage rates climb.

• NMHC July survey: Market Tightness Index hit 57, above...