Washington Policy Brief

Supreme Court ruling sparks refunds rush: Up to $166B returns to 330K+ importers on 53M shipments via federal portal, payments in 60-90 days—despite...

• Congress passed a short-term extension of FISA Section 702, signed by Trump on April 18, pushing deadline to April 30.
• Allows warrantless...

• Fed independence first: Warsh commits to "strictly independent" monetary policy, while open to admin/Congress on non-monetary issues.
• Inflation...

Today's special election could let lawmakers redraw Virginia's congressional map, potentially shifting the state's House delegation balance.

-...

National security risks loom as universities' openness invites foreign influence.

Key threats:

• China Talent Programs recruit students/researchers...

One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers economic and fiscal benefits by extending TCJA provisions that lowered taxes on pass-through businesses through reduced personal income tax rates and a 20% deduction.

US eyes voluntary export fee (VEF) on pollution to recover foreign tax costs from EU pollution fees. This kicks off a two-part series on America's trade countermeasures blending economic and environmental policy.

Proposals to tax unrealized capital gains risk surpassing the Constitution's taxation powers, fueling debates on wealth taxes amid rising concerns.

The Army is now relevant in the Pacific, with capabilities to impact China from a distance. Progress can't stop—Congress and leaders must double down on budgets this season.

Senate Democrats are questioning the Pentagon's efforts to unify a fragmented civilian harm reporting process across military services and develop standard assessments. This highlights key congressional oversight on DoD accountability.

The Federal Reserve updated its April inflation forecast to a TTM rate of 3.58%, giving the FOMC no reason to lower interest rates amid pressures to support high stock valuations. This signals persistent inflation, delaying any near-term easing.

Cross-border cooperation is vital against narco networks using Canada as a hub for Sinaloa servers, money fronts, and Chinese laundering in...

• Latest hit: US military strike kills 3 on alleged Caribbean drug boat
• Trump-era campaign persists since Sept, 181 total dead; ramped up past week...

New federal SNAP rules from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act expand work mandates to ages 64 and younger, yet research shows no employment impact.

• WV...

• USDA leverages AI for avian flu response, using predictive analytics and NASA data to map outbreaks and deploy inspectors.
• FBI constrained by...

New York Assemblyman Alex Bores proposes an AI Dividend with direct payments triggered by AI-driven job losses.

• Triggers: Falling labor...

Foreign policy escalation hits economy: Iran-US-Israel conflict closes Strait of Hormuz, disrupting oil and causing record price surge.

• Inflation...

Critical failure: Hidden Chinese firms exploit anonymous shells to access sensitive CIA/FBI contractor identities, including undercover ones, via...

The White House's National Security Strategy is grounded in a distinctly American internationalism that reflects the union of our values and national interests. This core principle provides essential context for upcoming policy moves.

Key pressures on Warsh's monetary views ahead of Tuesday's Senate Banking hearing:

• Past hawkishness evolves: Tight-money stance shifted to lower...