Policy & Government Affairs

FAA Airworthiness Directive: Schempp-Hirth Gliders

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH gliders. This AD mandates specific inspections of the drive fitting to address a potential safety issue.

Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Vote Results

The US House of Representatives voted on ordering the previous question for H.R. 7744, a bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2026. The vote, which passed with 213 yeas and 208 nays, indicates progress in the legislative appropriations process.

Motion to Refer Ethics Committee Records - Vote Results

The US House of Representatives voted on a motion to refer directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records related to its review of sexual harassment violations. The motion passed with 357 yeas and 65 nays.

Continuation of National Emergency With Respect to Iran

The President has continued the national emergency with respect to Iran for one year. This action, published in the Federal Register, extends existing sanctions and restrictions related to Iran.

AI Firms Pledge to Cover Data Center Energy Costs

The White House announced that major AI and hyperscaler companies, including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, have signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge. This pledge commits them to covering the costs of new power generation and grid infrastructure upgrades for their data centers, preventing these expenses from being passed on to consumers.

EPA Proposes Paper Manifest Sunset Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a rule to sunset the paper hazardous waste manifest system and transition to an electronic system. The agency estimates this change could result in $28.5 million in savings.

EPA Proposes Delaying Clean Water Act Facility Response Plan Compliance

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed delaying the compliance date for facility response plans under the Clean Water Act. This proposed rule aims to align with administration policy and provides a comment period for public input.

Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026

The UK Secretary of State has made the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026, which amends various social security benefit rates. The Order comes into force on various dates between April 1st and April 9th, 2026, with some provisions taking effect on April 6th, 2026.

Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order 2026

The UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has issued the Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order 2026, increasing earnings factors for pension calculations. This order, effective April 6, 2026, aims to revalue historical earnings factors to maintain their value in relation to the general level of earnings.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Auctioning Amendment Regulations 2026

The UK Treasury has amended the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Auctioning Regulations 2021. These amendments increase the auction reserve price from £22 to £28 and introduce an automatic annual uplift mechanism tied to the GDP deflator, starting January 1, 2027.