Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
Featured Stories
State Department Issues Public Schedule for March 31, 2026
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the daily public schedule for March 31, 2026:
* * *
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO
10:00 a.m. Secretary Rubio meets with Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU
Deputy Secretary Landau attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State.
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES MICHAEL J. RIGAS
Deputy Secretary Rigas attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State.
UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the daily public schedule for March 31, 2026:
* * *
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO
10:00 a.m. Secretary Rubio meets with Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LANDAU
Deputy Secretary Landau attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State.
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES MICHAEL J. RIGAS
Deputy Secretary Rigas attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State.
UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRSALLISON M. HOOKER
10:15 a.m. Under Secretary Hooker meets with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
UNDER SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS JACOB HELBERG
Under Secretary Helberg is on travel to the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France from March 30-April 3, 2026.
SENIOR BUREAU OFFICIAL FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS NICK CHECKER
Senior Bureau Official Checker is on travel to Germany and the Central African Republic from March 25-April 1, 2026.
SENIOR BUREAU OFFICIAL FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS BRENDAN P. HANRAHAN
4:00 p.m. Senior Bureau Official Hanrahan meets with French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Continental Europe Director Brice Roquefeuil and Director of Strategic Affairs, Security, and Disarmament Claire Raulin at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
BRIEFING SCHEDULE
No Department Press Briefing.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/03/public-schedule-march-31-2026/
SEC Charges Connecticut Resident in Alleged Insider Trading Scheme
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 26-cv-02582; S.D.N.Y. filed Mar. 30, 2026) involving a Connecticut resident in alleged insider trading scheme:
* * *
On March 30, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed insider trading charges against Ronald Smith, a Connecticut resident and then-registered representative for a New York-based broker-dealer, who was allegedly tipped material nonpublic information misappropriated from the laptop of an employee of a New York-based investment bank to trade in the securities of at
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 26-cv-02582; S.D.N.Y. filed Mar. 30, 2026) involving a Connecticut resident in alleged insider trading scheme:
* * *
On March 30, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed insider trading charges against Ronald Smith, a Connecticut resident and then-registered representative for a New York-based broker-dealer, who was allegedly tipped material nonpublic information misappropriated from the laptop of an employee of a New York-based investment bank to trade in the securities of atleast two public companies.
According to the SEC's complaint, Smith traded in the securities of two issuers based on material nonpublic information he received from his close friend and colleague, Jordan Meadow. The complaint alleges that Meadow obtained the information from Steven Teixeira, who had misappropriated the information from the laptop of his then-romantic partner, an executive assistant at the investment bank. As alleged, Smith traded based on the material nonpublic information and generated approximately $530,000 in illicit profits. Additionally, according to the complaint, Smith and Meadow used the misappropriated information to recommend trades to their shared customers, which resulted in millions of dollars in profits for their customers and hundreds of thousands of dollars in commissions that Smith and Meadow split evenly.
The SEC's complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charges Smith with violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil monetary penalties. The Commission previously filed insider trading charges against Meadow and Teixeira in June 2023.
The SEC's investigation was conducted by Norman P. Ostrove of the SEC's Philadelphia Regional Office and Julia C. Green of the Division of Enforcement's Market Abuse Unit, with assistance from John S. Rymas of the Market Abuse Unit's Analysis and Detection Center. It was supervised by Scott A. Thompson of the Philadelphia Regional Office and Joseph G. Sansone, Chief of the Market Abuse Unit. The litigation will be led by Kara F. Sweet and supervised by Gregory Bockin of the Philadelphia Regional Office. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
* * *
Resources
* SEC Complaint (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/complaints/2026/comp26513.pdf)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26513
Federal Reserve Bank of New York President Williams Issues Remarks at the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation
NEW YORK, March 31 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of New York issued the following remarks on March 30, 2026, by President and CEO John C. Williams at an event hosted by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation:
* * *
Ferrying Through the Crosscurrents
As prepared for delivery
Introduction
Thank you to the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation for hosting today's event. My last regional visit to Staten Island was a virtual one during the pandemic. Even then, I rode the ferry to simulate the true Staten Island experience before heading into a full day of online discussions about
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, March 31 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of New York issued the following remarks on March 30, 2026, by President and CEO John C. Williams at an event hosted by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation:
* * *
Ferrying Through the Crosscurrents
As prepared for delivery
Introduction
Thank you to the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation for hosting today's event. My last regional visit to Staten Island was a virtual one during the pandemic. Even then, I rode the ferry to simulate the true Staten Island experience before heading into a full day of online discussions abouteconomic conditions in the borough. So, it was a thrill to ride the boat over this morning before visiting local businesses and meeting with leaders in person.
The ferry is so iconic that it is immortalized by a Bob Dylan lyric. But traffic patterns on the island can be a unique experience, too. Let's chalk that up to a strong New York economy that has recovered and then grown in the post-pandemic era. That rebound has been the center of many conversations I've had today, and we can continue that discussion here as well. But first, I'll share some prepared remarks about the U.S. economy and how the Federal Reserve is working to achieve its dual mandate goals of maximum employment and price stability.
Before I go further, I must give the standard Fed disclaimer that the views I express today are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) or others in the Federal Reserve System.
A Resilient Economy
Let's zoom out from New York and take a look at the bigger picture--what's unfolding in the economy across the country and around the globe.
Recent developments in the Middle East have added a great deal of uncertainty around economic activity in that region and for the U.S. economy. I'll return to the implications of geopolitical events later, but first I'd like to focus on where the economy is today.
The year began with the U.S. economy on a good footing. Despite heightened uncertainty around the impact of trade and other policies, the economy has been resilient, with growth remaining solid through last year and into the beginning of this year. Consumer spending has been resilient and business investment has been strong. And the unemployment rate has stabilized over recent months. Inflation remains somewhat elevated due to the effects of tariffs, but those effects should begin to dissipate later this year.
Mixed Signals in the Labor Market
I'll now turn to one side of the Fed's dual mandate: maximum employment. Here, we are getting mixed signals, with some key indicators showing signs of steadying while others are suggesting a weakening labor market.
That said, recent indicators of labor market conditions do not point to a sharp change in the balance between labor demand and supply. The unemployment rate has fluctuated in a narrow band of 4.3 to 4.5 percent since last July, and unemployment insurance claims remain low. So-called prime-age labor force participation is near record-high levels, and the rate at which workers quit their jobs to look for better opportunities has been broadly stable. In addition, the New York Fed's Labor Market Tightness Index, which measures how difficult it is for businesses to find workers, has been relatively steady in recent months.1 And despite some ups and downs, payroll growth and the vacancy rate have not displayed sustained changes in direction.
One cautionary signal is around households' labor market expectations. Perceptions of jobs availability published by the Conference Board and job finding expectations reported in the New York Fed's Survey of Consumer Expectations (SCE) both have been trending downward.2 The SCE measure, in particular, may foreshadow a further decline in job-finding rates in coming months.
The recent movements in these survey measures could be a manifestation of the low-hire, low-fire environment, where it's a good labor market if you have steady employment and not so good if you are looking for a job or worried that you may need one soon. The low hiring rate, along with an increase in long-term unemployment, may be contributing to a somewhat more pessimistic perception among households than other indicators of the labor market might suggest.
Inflation Crosscurrents
I'll turn now to the other side of the Fed's mandate: price stability. While the labor market has been sending an unusual set of mixed signals, inflation is experiencing its own unusual crosscurrents due to the effects of tariffs and developments in the Middle East.
As measured by the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, inflation is currently hovering around 3 percent, with tariffs contributing between one half and three quarters of a percentage point to this figure. In addition, the significant increase in energy prices resulting from developments in the Middle East will likely boost overall inflation in coming months, but these effects should partially reverse later this year, assuming oil prices come down after hostilities cease.
Uncertainty around the future path of inflation is high. The conflict in the Middle East could result in a large supply shock with pronounced effects that simultaneously raises inflation--through a surge in intermediate costs and commodity prices--and dampens economic activity. This has begun to play out already. Until recently, the data have not been pointing to significant supply chain bottlenecks, but we are now seeing supply chain disruptions related to the supply of energy and related goods.
The residual effects of tariffs and higher energy prices should increase headline inflation in the short term. But there are still some positive trends. There are no signs of significant second-round effects from tariffs spilling over to the rest of the economy, and the labor market is not adding to inflation pressures. Underlying inflation excluding imported goods has been moving in the right direction. And importantly, most survey- and market-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations--including the New York Fed's Survey of Consumer Expectations--are at levels consistent with the FOMC's 2 percent goal.
Monetary Policy and the Economic Outlook
This is an unusual set of circumstances. But the current stance of monetary policy is well positioned to balance the risks to our maximum employment and price stability goals.
At its most recent meeting, the FOMC decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent.3 And, it stated that, "In considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks."
Given what we know today, I expect real GDP growth to be close to 2-1/2 percent this year, reflecting tailwinds from fiscal policy, favorable financial conditions, and investment in AI. With growth running above potential, I expect the unemployment rate to edge down over this year and next. And with various short-term factors affecting prices, I expect overall inflation to come in at around 2-3/4 percent this year, before reaching our longer-run 2 percent target in 2027.
Conclusion
It's an unusual time for the economy. There are substantial risks, and uncertainty is high--particularly around the economic effects of the Middle East conflict.
I am strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to our 2 percent longer-run goal on a sustained basis. In assessing the future path of monetary policy, my views, as always, will be based on the evolution of the totality of the data, the economic outlook, and the balance of risks to the achievement of our maximum employment and price stability goals.
* * *
1/ Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Heise, Pearce, Weber (HPW) Labor Market Tightness Index, (January 2026).
2/ Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Survey of Consumer Expectations, (February 2026).
3/ Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement, March 18, 2026.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/speeches/2026/wil260330
FCC Issues Letter on Cox Television Jacksonville, Hoffman Communications, DIRECTV
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau issued the following letter (No. DA 26-304) on March 30, 2026:
* * *
To: Cox Television Jacksonville, LLC, c/o Matthew S. DelNero, Covington & Burling LLP, One CityCenter, 850 Tenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Hoffman Communications, Inc., c/o Tim Nelson, Brooks Pierce LLP, 150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1700, Raleigh, NC 27601
DIRECTV, LLC, c/o Michael Nilsson, HWG LLP, 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Re: Application for Assignment of License from Hoffman Communications, Inc. to Cox Television Jacksonville,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau issued the following letter (No. DA 26-304) on March 30, 2026:
* * *
To: Cox Television Jacksonville, LLC, c/o Matthew S. DelNero, Covington & Burling LLP, One CityCenter, 850 Tenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Hoffman Communications, Inc., c/o Tim Nelson, Brooks Pierce LLP, 150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1700, Raleigh, NC 27601
DIRECTV, LLC, c/o Michael Nilsson, HWG LLP, 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Re: Application for Assignment of License from Hoffman Communications, Inc. to Cox Television Jacksonville,LLC
LMS File No. 0000281074
Dear Counsel:
The Video Division, Media Bureau, has before it the above-captioned application seeking consent to the assignment of the license of television station WJAX-TV, Jacksonville, Florida (WJAX-TV or Station), from Hoffman Communications, Inc. (Hoffman), to Cox Television Jacksonville, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMG Media Corporation (collectively, Cox, and, together with Hoffman, Applicants)./1 DIRECTV, LLC (DIRECTV), filed a petition to deny the Application./2 For the reasons set forth below, we deny the Petition and grant the Application.
Background. Cox is the licensee of television station WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, Florida. If it acquires WJAX-TV,/3 Cox would own two television stations in the Jacksonville Nielsen Designated Market Area (DMA).
The Local Television Ownership Rule, as reflected in the Code of Federal Regulations, provides that an entity may own two television stations licensed in the same DMA if: "(i) the digital noise limited service contours of the stations . . . do not overlap; or (ii) at the time the application to acquire . . . the station(s) is filed, at least one of the stations is not ranked among the top-four stations in the DMA, based on the Sunday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. daypart audience share ratings averaged over a 12-month period immediately preceding the date of the application, as measured by Nielsen Media Research or by any comparable professional, accepted audience ratings service."/4 However, the court in Zimmer Radio vacated the latter provision--the Top-Four Prohibition--such that ownership of any two stations in a single DMA is now rule compliant (the Two-Station Limit)./5
Pleadings. DIRECTV asserts in its Petition that it has standing to file, alleging direct economic harm due to higher input prices that it asserts it will have to pay as a result of the transaction./6 DIRECTV further claims that it also has standing as a competitor, citing broadcasters' arguments in rulemaking proceedings that multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD) compete with over-the-air broadcasters for viewers as they simultaneously rely on broadcasters as program suppliers./7 DIRECTV maintains that Zimmer Radio does not affect the Applicants' affirmative obligation under section 310(d) to show that the proposed license transfer is in the public interest./8 DIRECTV asserts that the Applicants fail to make any public interest showing despite the clear harm arising from creating a new "Big Four" duopoly./9 Specifically, DIRECTV argues that the evidence shows that local television consolidation gives broadcasters more leverage to charge higher retransmission fees, which leads to higher bills for MVPD customers./10 DIRECTV further contends that the transaction will lead to higher prices for DIRECTV and its customers because Cox is much larger than Hoffman, and larger station groups command higher retransmission consent rates than smaller ones./11
The Applicants respond that the transaction complies with all Commission rules, including the post-Zimmer Radio Local Television Ownership Rule./12 They also contend that the acquisition will present no harm and that it will, in fact, strengthen WJAX-TV and its service to the Jacksonville DMA, because Cox has been limited to programming no more than 15 percent of the Station's weekly schedule./13 The Applicants also assert that the transaction will produce "significant public interest benefits" by strengthening WJAX-TV and WFOX-TV as competitors in the local market and "opening new opportunities for increased local journalism and enhanced local programming offerings that come with this larger platform."/14
The Applicants also call for the DIRECTV Petition to be dismissed on procedural grounds for two reasons. First, they state that DIRECTV does not have standing to file a petition to deny under section 310(d) of the Act, asserting that DIRECTV's claim that common ownership of WJAX-TV and WFOX-TV will raise retransmission consent rates that DIRECTV will have to pass on customers, thereby lowering subscribership and revenues, is exactly the sort of "speculative" harm that the Commission's standing requirements do not recognize./15 Second, the Applicants argue that DIRECTV improperly attempts to convert a transaction review into a forum for its industrywide policy demands and that its argument for retention and expansion of the Top-Four Prohibition is an impermissible collateral attack on the Commission's rules./16
In reply, DIRECTV contends that Applicants ignore or minimize the harms of established in the Petition with regard to retransmission consent and fail to establish the public interest benefits associated with this transaction./17 DIRECTV also argues that there is no "retransmission consent exception" to the Commission's transaction review; the Commission's public interest analysis must address DIRECTV's contention that the transaction would result in an increase in retransmission consent rates./18
Standing. Under section 309(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act), only a "party in interest" has standing to file a petition to deny./19 In addition to containing the necessary factual allegations to support a prima facie case that grant of the application would be inconsistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity, a petition to deny must contain specific allegations of fact demonstrating that the petitioner is a party in interest./20 The allegations of fact, except for those of which official notice may be taken, must be supported by an affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury of someone with personal knowledge of the facts alleged./21 In general, a petitioner in a transfer or assignment proceeding also must allege and prove that: (1) it has suffered or will suffer an injury in fact; (2) there is a causal link between the proposed assignment and the injury in fact; and (3) that not granting the transfer or assignment would remedy or prevent the injury in fact./22 In the broadcast regulatory context, standing is generally shown in one of three ways: (1) as a competitor in the market subject to signal interference; (2) as a competitor in the market subject to economic harm; or (3) as a resident of the station's service area or regular listener of the station./23 In the case of viewer standing, the petitioner must allege that he or she is a resident of the station's service area or a regular viewer of the station./24 An organization can establish standing on behalf of its members if it provides an affidavit or declaration "of one or more individuals entitled to standing indicating that the group represents local residents and that the petition is filed on their behalf."/25
We find that DIRECTV has demonstrated that it meets the requirements for standing with regard to the Application. In its Petition, DIRECTV claims that grant of the transaction will have specific, negative effects on it, specifically related to retransmission consent fee negotiations, and that those harms can be cured by dismissal or denial of the Application./26 Based on these claims, and consistent with precedent, we find that DIRECTV has met the requirements for standing./27
Discussion. Section 310(d) of the Act provides that no station license shall be transferred or assigned except upon application to the Commission and upon a finding by the Commission "that the public interest, convenience, and necessity will be served thereby."/28 In making this determination, we first assess whether the proposed transaction complies with the specific provisions of the Act, other applicable statutes, and the Commission's rules./29 If the proposed transaction does not violate a statute or rule, we then consider whether the transaction could result in public interest harms by substantially frustrating or impairing the objectives or implementation of the Act or related statutes./30 For the reasons explained below, we find that the proposed transaction fully complies with the Commission's rules, including the post-Zimmer Radio Local Television Ownership Rule, and that there are no issues or potential public interest harms identified in the record that would require further consideration. Notably, while the Commission will consider transaction-specific objections to otherwise rule-compliant transactions, we find that DIRECTV has failed to advance any such objections. Accordingly, we conclude that grant of the Application will result in public interest benefits and serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.
In recent decisions issued subsequent to the close of the pleading cycle in this proceeding, we have considered and rejected substantially similar arguments raised by DIRECTV. On February 3, 2026, the Bureau issued the Sinclair-Cunningham-Roberts Letter Order, which addressed and rejected many of the arguments presented by DIRECTV here./31 In that decision, we traced the history of the Local Television Ownership Rule, from its initial adoption in the 1999 Television Ownership Order/32 through the Eighth Circuit's vacatur of the Top-Four Prohibition, and recognized that "the Two-Station Limit, without restriction, now is the Local Television Ownership Rule."/33 We also rejected the contention that the Commission must engage in a balancing process pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Act before granting an application, explaining that "[w]here the Commission has adopted a specific, numerical ownership limit, as it has with the Two-Station Limit, an applicant satisfies its initial burden of showing that the transaction is in compliance with the Act and the Commission's rules and policies related to competition and diversity by correctly certifying compliance with that limit."/34 On March 9, 2026, largely in reliance on the Sinclair-Cunningham-Roberts Letter Order, we issued the Sinclair-HSH-Cunningham-Deerfield Letter Order, rejecting claims raised by DIRECTV similar to those raised in its Petition here.
We find that the Application fully complies with the Two-Station Limit, and DIRECTV has failed to provide any transaction-specific arguments that raise a substantial and material question of fact sufficient to show that grant of the Application would be prima facie inconsistent with the public interest./35 The Petition focuses primarily on the retransmission consent harms raised by the proposed combinations./36 However, just as we found in the Sinclair-Cunningham-Roberts Letter Order and again in the Sinclair-HSH-Cunningham-Deerfield Letter Order that similar concerns were speculative, we reach the same determination here./37 And again, as we explained in the Sinclair-Cunningham-Roberts Letter Order, the Commission has found on multiple occasions in the past that issues of broad applicability, such as the effect of common ownership of two top-four stations on the market for retransmission consent, are best handled in a rulemaking of industry-wide effect./38 We emphasize again that we will not consider such issues in an adjudication involving rule-compliant broadcast television duopolies./39
Finally, based on our own review of the proposed transactions, we have not identified any issues or potential public interest harms that would require further consideration. To the contrary, we find that that "operational efficiencies and economies of scale" created by the transaction could benefit viewers through enhanced "local news and other locally tailored content."/40
Accordingly, having reviewed the Application and the record in this matter, IT IS ORDERED that, for the reasons specified herein, the Application (LMS File No. 0000281074) IS GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Petition to Deny filed by DIRECTV, LLC IS DENIED.
These actions are taken pursuant to Sections 0.61 and 0.283 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR Sec.Sec. 0.61, 0.283, and Sections 4(i) and (j), and 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sec.Sec. 154(i), 154(j), 310(d).
Sincerely,
/s/ David J. Brown, Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau
* * *
Original text and footnotes here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-304A1.pdf
Department of Justice: Reporting Voluntary Self-Disclosures of Violations of National Security Laws Under the Department-wide Corporate Enforcement Policy
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release:
* * *
Reporting Voluntary Self-Disclosures of Violations of National Security Laws Under the Department-wide Corporate Enforcement Policy
The mission of the Department of Justice's National Security Division (NSD) is to protect and defend the United States against the full range of national security threats, consistent with the rule of law. Business organizations and their employees are at the forefront of protecting the national security of the United States by preventing the unlawful export of sensitive
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release:
* * *
Reporting Voluntary Self-Disclosures of Violations of National Security Laws Under the Department-wide Corporate Enforcement Policy
The mission of the Department of Justice's National Security Division (NSD) is to protect and defend the United States against the full range of national security threats, consistent with the rule of law. Business organizations and their employees are at the forefront of protecting the national security of the United States by preventing the unlawful export of sensitivecommodities, technologies, and services, as well as unlawful transactions with sanctioned countries and designated individuals and entities. Enforcing our export control and sanctions laws, and holding accountable those who violate them, is a top priority for NSD.
On March 10, 2026, the Department released its first-ever Department-wide corporate enforcement policy (CEP) for criminal matters, promoting uniformity, predictability, and fairness in how it pursues white-collar cases to protect the American people.
As the announcement explains, the "Department-wide CEP provides concrete benefits to incentivize companies to voluntarily disclose discovered misconduct, cooperate with our investigations, and timely and appropriately remediate the wrongdoing. For companies that do, absent certain limited aggravating circumstances, the Department will decline to prosecute the company. Incentivizing corporate self-disclosures -- while still permitting prosecutions in appropriate circumstances -- allows the Department to quickly pursue culpable individuals, secure justice for victims, and deter white-collar crime, all while not unduly burdening American businesses."
Under the CEP, "disclosure must be made to the appropriate component of the Department," CEP n.5, and all resolutions under the CEP "must be approved by the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the relevant Division." CEP Background
4. The CEP also provides that a "[g]ood faith disclosure to one component where the matter is later brought to another appropriate component for investigation will also qualify" for declination. CEP n.5
As pertaining to national security laws, the Justice Manual (JM) assigns the "enforcement of all criminal laws affecting, involving or relating to the national security, and the responsibility for prosecuting criminal offenses, such as conspiracy, perjury and false statements, arising out of offenses related to national security . . . to the AAG of NSD." JM Sec. 9-90.010.
The scope of these matters, which includes violations of the U.S. government's primary export control and sanctions regimes -- the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 22 U.S.C. Sec. 2778, the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), 50 U.S.C. Sec. 4801 et seq., and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. Sec. 1701 et seq. - can be found at JM Sec. 9-90.020.
While the conduct of business organizations and their employees has the greatest potential to implicate U.S. national security interests in the enforcement of export control and sanctions laws, the conduct of business organizations and their employees can also violate other U.S. national security laws, including laws prohibiting material support to and financing of foreign terrorist organizations, criminal violations in connection with the work of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (Team Telecom). Companies are encouraged to voluntarily self-disclose to NSD any potential criminal violations of U.S. law relating to matters conducted, handled, or supervised by the NSD AAG.
All voluntary self-disclosures concerning potential criminal violations of U.S. national security laws should be sent, with the company name in the subject line, to NSD's email inbox for voluntary self disclosures: NSD.VSD@usdoj.gov.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/reporting-voluntary-self-disclosures-violations-national-security-laws-under-department-wide
Trump's Transportation Department Invests $665 Million to Improve Traffic Safety Initiatives, Save Lives
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the following news release on March 30, 2026:
* * *
Trump's Transportation Department Invests $665 Million to Improve Traffic Safety Initiatives, Save Lives
NHTSA launches eGrants platform to help states get needed resources faster
*
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today invested $665 million into traffic safety initiatives that protect Americans on roadways. This funding provides state highway safety offices with critical
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the following news release on March 30, 2026:
* * *
Trump's Transportation Department Invests $665 Million to Improve Traffic Safety Initiatives, Save Lives
NHTSA launches eGrants platform to help states get needed resources faster
*
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today invested $665 million into traffic safety initiatives that protect Americans on roadways. This funding provides state highway safety offices with criticalresources to address their most challenging traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, unbelted driving, impaired driving, and excessive speed. States may use these resources for traffic enforcement activities, child safety seat clinics, post-crash care, and public education.
"Under Secretary Duffy, we are supporting states, law enforcement, and paramedics with the resources they need to do their jobs and keep American families safe," said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison. "We are partnering with states across America to target traffic risks and save lives."
Award amounts allocated to each state and territory are available on NHTSA's website.
NHTSA also launched the second major element of its modernized electronic grants management system, known as eGrants. This will ease the process by which states apply for grants.
"Thanks to NHTSA's new-and-improved eGrants software, states can more seamlessly apply for, manage, and track federal safety resources," Administrator Morrison added. "This launch marks a pivotal step in NHTSA's efforts to modernize its formula grant program, streamlining how states access funding."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/trumps-transportation-department-invests-665-million-improve-traffic-safety
Surface Transportation Board Issues Decision Involving TransloadX Railroad, CSX Transportation
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision (Docket No. FD 36909) entitled "TransloadX Railroad Co. Inc. - Acquisition and Operation Exemption - CSX Transportation Inc.":
* * *
TransloadX Railroad Company, Inc. (TransloadX-RR), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to lease and operate two lines of railroad from CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), totaling approximately 37.1 miles (the Lines). The Lines consist of (1) approximately 18.3 miles of CSXT's Augusta Branch, which extends
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 31 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision (Docket No. FD 36909) entitled "TransloadX Railroad Co. Inc. - Acquisition and Operation Exemption - CSX Transportation Inc.":
* * *
TransloadX Railroad Company, Inc. (TransloadX-RR), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to lease and operate two lines of railroad from CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), totaling approximately 37.1 miles (the Lines). The Lines consist of (1) approximately 18.3 miles of CSXT's Augusta Branch, which extendsfrom Waterville, Me. (MP WVT 0.7), to Augusta, Me. (MP WVT 19.0) in Kennebec County, Me., and (2) approximately 18.8 miles of CSXT's Bucksport Branch, which extends from Bangor, Me. (MP WVB 0.2), to Bucksport, Me. (MP WVB 19.0), in Penobscot and Hancock Counties, Me.
On March 27, 2026, Chalmers Hardenbergh filed a Combined Petition to Stay and Petition to Revoke the Notice of Exemption. Hardenbergh argues that the transaction "raises serious public interest and fitness concerns." (Pet. 2.) Hardenbergh asserts that the principals of TransloadX-RR "have been found by a Massachusetts Superior Court to have engaged in unfair and inequitable conduct and to have intentionally violated a court order." (Id.) He asks the Board to (1) stay the effectiveness of the verified notice of exemption, and (2) revoke the exemption as "inconsistent with the public interest and with the national rail transportation policy set forth in 49 U.S.C. Sec. 10101."/1 (Id. at 5-7.)
On March 30, 2026, counsel for TransloadX-RR filed a letter with the Board asking the Board to either remove Hardenbergh's filing or reclassify it as a comment. TransloadX-RR argues, among other things, that Hardenbergh is not representing anyone with "a cognizable interest in this proceeding." (Letter 1.) The letter contends that the personal opinions expressed by Hardenbergh "have no relation to the proposed transaction in this docket" and mischaracterize the facts. (Id.) The letter also indicates that if the Board does not remove the petition, TransloadX-RR will submit a response to the combined petition.
Under 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1115.5, any response by TransloadX-RR to the petition for stay is limited to 10 pages, 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1115.5(c), and will be due April 1, 2026 (five days after the petition to stay was filed), 49 U.S.C. Sec. 1115.5(a). TransloadX-RR may reply to the merits of the petition to revoke the exemption by April 16, 2026. See 49 C.F.R. Sec. 1104.13(a).
It is ordered:
1. TransloadX-RR may file a reply, not to exceed 10 pages, in response to the petition to stay by April 1, 2026.
2. TransloadX-RR may file a reply in response to the petition to revoke by April 16, 2026.
3. This decision is effective on its date of service.
By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Chief Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel.
* * *
Footnote:
1/ Because the exemption is not yet effective, Hardenbergh's request is more appropriately characterized as a request to reject the verified notice.
* * *
Original text here: https://dcms-external.s3.amazonaws.com/DCMS_External_PROD/1774904108662/52985.pdf
