Featured Stories
USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year Reviews Concerning Silicon Metal From Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2026:
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USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Silicon Metal from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the countervailing duty order on imports of silicon metal from Kazakhstan and the antidumping duty orders on silicon metal from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, and Malaysia would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (TNSrep) -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2026:
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USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Silicon Metal from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revocation of the countervailing duty order on imports of silicon metal from Kazakhstan and the antidumping duty orders on silicon metal from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, and Malaysia would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injurywithin a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the USITC's affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia will remain in place.
Chairman Brett W. Doyle and Commissioners Jason E. Kearns, Peter-Anthony Pappas, Bart Thanhauser, and David Foley Jr. voted in the affirmative.
Today's action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.
The USITC's public report, Silicon Metal from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia (Inv. Nos. 701-TA- 652 and 731-TA-1524-1526 (Review), USITC Publication 5785, August 2026), will contain the views of the USITC and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available on the USITC website (https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library) by September 28, 2026.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.
The USITC's institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the USITC concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally, within 95 days from institution, the USITC will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC's notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the USITC conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.
The USITC generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the USITC's prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the reviews, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.
The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Silicon Metal from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia were instituted on March 2, 2026.
On June 5, 2026, the USITC determined to conduct expedited five-year reviews. Commissioners David S. Johanson, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic interested party group responses were adequate and the respondent interested party group responses were inadequate, and voted for expedited reviews. Chairman Brett W. Doyle and Commissioners Peter-Anthony Pappas, Bart Thanhauser, and David Foley Jr. did not participate in the adequacy votes.
A record of the USITC's vote to conduct expedited reviews is available on the investigations page for Silicon Metal from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia; Inv. No. 701-TA-652 and 731-TA-1524-1526 (Review).
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Original text here: https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2026/er0821_69113.htm
Treasury, IRS Issue Proposed Regulations on Eligible Investments for Trump Accounts Under the Working Families Tax Cuts
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service issued the following news on Aug. 20, 2026:
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Treasury, IRS issue proposed regulations on eligible investments for Trump Accounts under the Working Families Tax Cuts
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued proposed regulations on eligible investments for Trump Accounts, a new type of traditional IRA under the Working Families Tax Cuts.
"These proposed regulations will provide clarity for trustees and beneficiaries of Trump Accounts, thus encouraging eligible participants
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service issued the following news on Aug. 20, 2026:
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Treasury, IRS issue proposed regulations on eligible investments for Trump Accounts under the Working Families Tax Cuts
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued proposed regulations on eligible investments for Trump Accounts, a new type of traditional IRA under the Working Families Tax Cuts.
"These proposed regulations will provide clarity for trustees and beneficiaries of Trump Accounts, thus encouraging eligible participantsto invest in low-fee mutual funds and ETFs that will grow on a tax-deferred basis potentially over their entire lives," said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. "Funds deposited in Trump Accounts enable American children to start investing now and enjoy years of compound earnings for their future college, retirement and other needs."
Eligible investments for Trump Accounts
Funds in a Trump Account may only be invested in eligible investments during the growth period, which begins when the account beneficiary's initial Trump Account is established and ends on Dec. 31 of the calendar year in which the account beneficiary turns age 17. After the growth period, the eligible investment restrictions no longer apply.
For Trump Accounts, an eligible investment generally is a mutual fund or exchange traded fund that tracks an equity index of primarily U.S. companies, such as the S&P 500 index, does not use leverage, and has annual fees and expenses of no more than 0.1 percent of the balance of the investment in the fund.
If an account beneficiary does not select an eligible investment offered by the trustee, funds in a Trump Account automatically will be invested during the growth period in an eligible investment selected by the trustee.
The proposed regulations provide rules for determining whether an investment is an eligible investment and procedures for a trustee to ensure that funds are invested in an eligible investment. These regulations generally would apply to tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026.
Request for comments
These proposed regulations take into account stakeholder comments regarding eligible investments that were made in response to Notice 2025-68 PDF, issued in December 2025.
Treasury and the IRS also now request additional comments from interested parties by Oct. 20, 2026. Complete instructions on submitting comments can be found in the proposed regulations.
Sign up for a Trump Account and the pilot program
Parents, guardians, and other authorized individuals, can use IRS Individual Online Account to complete Form 4547, Trump Account Election(s) PDF to open a Trump Account for a child with a Social Security number if the election is made before the calendar year in which the child turns age 18. If that child is a U.S. citizen born in 2025 through 2028, the parent or other individual who qualifies to make the election can check a box on Form 4547 to elect a $1,000 pilot program contribution for the child's Trump Account.
Visit trumpaccounts.gov for more information on Trump Accounts. For more information on the provisions of the new legislation, see Working Families Tax Cuts Provisions on IRS.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-irs-issue-proposed-regulations-on-eligible-investments-for-trump-accounts-under-the-working-families-tax-cuts
SEC Files Subpoena Enforcement Action Against Texas Oil Company, Five Affiliated Entities, and Six Related Individuals, in Connection With Investigation Into Possible Fraudulent Securities Offering
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release:
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. 1859 Operating, LLC; Centerfire Consulting, LLC; DMMD Marketing, Inc.; DM Sales Consulting, Inc.; The Slade Group, Inc.; Slade Marketing, Inc.; Adam Fieldsted; Dillon Murrow; Alison Slade; Dallin Slade; Duane Slade; and Mason Slade, Misc. Action No. 4:26-MC-00012 (N.D. Tex. filed Aug. 20, 2026)
On August 20, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a subpoena enforcement action in United States District Court for the Northern District of
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release:
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. 1859 Operating, LLC; Centerfire Consulting, LLC; DMMD Marketing, Inc.; DM Sales Consulting, Inc.; The Slade Group, Inc.; Slade Marketing, Inc.; Adam Fieldsted; Dillon Murrow; Alison Slade; Dallin Slade; Duane Slade; and Mason Slade, Misc. Action No. 4:26-MC-00012 (N.D. Tex. filed Aug. 20, 2026)
On August 20, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a subpoena enforcement action in United States District Court for the Northern District ofTexas, seeking an order to compel 1859 Operating, LLC; Centerfire Consulting, LLC; DMMD Marketing, Inc.; DM Sales Consulting, Inc.; The Slade Group, Inc.; Slade Marketing, Inc.; and individuals Adam Fieldsted, Dillon Murrow, Alison Slade, Dallin Slade, Duane Slade, and Mason Slade (together, "the respondents") to comply with outstanding SEC investigative subpoenas.
According to the SEC's application and supporting papers, the SEC issued the subpoenas beginning in April 2024, requiring the respondents to produce documents and provide sworn testimony in the investigation. According to the SEC's filing, the subpoenas were issued to determine whether any persons or entities may have violated the antifraud or other provisions of the federal securities laws in connection with a potential offering fraud involving 1859's offers and sales of fractional undivided working interests in oil leases, through which respondents have raised approximately $42.7 million.
As described in the SEC's application, despite extended deadlines, repeated communications, and multiple agreements to prioritize production, the respondents almost entirely failed to comply with subpoenas by the compliance deadlines. The application alleges that the respondents have produced approximately 8,344 documents out of a universe of what their counsel has stated includes potentially hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of responsive documents. The application further alleges that several respondents have failed to appear for testimony on dates previously agreed to or scheduled pursuant to SEC subpoenas and that on multiple occasions over the last 10 months, respondents' counsel has unilaterally canceled testimony shortly before the testimony was scheduled to occur.
The SEC's application requests that the Court enter an order compelling the respondents to comply with the subpoenas.
The SEC is continuing its fact finding investigation and, to date, has not concluded that any individual or entity has violated the federal securities laws.
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Resources
* Memorandum of Law in Support of Application of the Securities and Exchange Commission for an Order Compelling Compliance With Administrative Subpoenas (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/lr26616-brief-iso-app-order-compelling-compliance-respondents.pdf)
* Application of the Securities and Exchange Commission for Order Compelling Compliance With Administrative Subpoenas (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/lr26616-mt-compel-compliance-respondents.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26616
SEC Charges Former Director of Financial Planning With Insider Trading in Advance of Employer's Earnings Releases
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release:
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jesse R. Mitchell, No. 26-civ-07111 (S.D.N.Y. filed Aug. 20, 2026)
On August 20, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Jesse R. Mitchell, formerly the Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at digital advertising company The Trade Desk, Inc. ("TTD"), with insider trading based on material nonpublic information he obtained through advance receipt of TTD's earnings releases.
According to the SEC's complaint, as a member of
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release:
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jesse R. Mitchell, No. 26-civ-07111 (S.D.N.Y. filed Aug. 20, 2026)
On August 20, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Jesse R. Mitchell, formerly the Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at digital advertising company The Trade Desk, Inc. ("TTD"), with insider trading based on material nonpublic information he obtained through advance receipt of TTD's earnings releases.
According to the SEC's complaint, as a member ofTTD's financial planning team Mitchell received TTD's quarterly earnings results in advance of their public release. The complaint alleges that, in one instance, Mitchell used that knowledge to purchase 3,850 shares of TTD common stock in advance of the company's positive second quarter 2024 earnings release, then profited nearly $20,000 by selling those shares in the day following the release. As alleged, Mitchell later purchased out-of-the-money put options in advance of TTD's fourth quarter 2024 earnings release, which included the company's first ever revenue guidance miss. According to the complaint, TTD's share price dropped by over 30% the day after it announced the revenue guidance miss, and Mitchell sold his options that day for a profit of over $318,000. As alleged in the complaint, Mitchell's illegal trading activity was done not only while he was in possession of material nonpublic information but was in violation of trading blackout periods imposed by TTD on its employees and, in the second instance, in violation of TTD's explicit and permanent ban on employees trading in TTD options.
The SEC's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charges Mitchell with violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The complaint seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest, civil penalties, and an officer-and-director bar.
In a parallel action, on August 20, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced an indictment charging Mitchell with securities fraud.
The SEC's investigation was conducted by Samuel M. Kalar, under the supervision of Celeste A. Chase and Thomas P. Smith, Jr., of the New York Regional Office. The litigation will be led by Paul G. Gizzi and Mr. Kalar, under the supervision of Jack Kaufman. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
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Resources
* SEC Complaint (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/comp26614.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26614
Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel Concludes the Constitution Requires Presidential Control of the Foreign Service Grievance Board
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2026:
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Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel Concludes the Constitution Requires Presidential Control of the Foreign Service Grievance Board
Today, the Department of Justice released an opinion for the Department of State's Legal Advisor finding that the Foreign Service Grievance Board (FSGB)'s unchecked power over the U.S. Foreign Service violates the Constitution.
"Accountability for American foreign policy flows from the people to the foreign service through the President, our elected
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2026:
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Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel Concludes the Constitution Requires Presidential Control of the Foreign Service Grievance Board
Today, the Department of Justice released an opinion for the Department of State's Legal Advisor finding that the Foreign Service Grievance Board (FSGB)'s unchecked power over the U.S. Foreign Service violates the Constitution.
"Accountability for American foreign policy flows from the people to the foreign service through the President, our electedofficial charged by the Constitution to conduct foreign affairs, and his Secretary of State," said Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser. "Our advice today restores that essential through-line."
Since 1980, the Foreign Service Act has empowered the FSGB to reverse disciplinary measures and reinstate members of the Foreign Service who had been terminated by the Secretary of State. A 2013 decision of the Board, for example, reinstated a Foreign Service member who had been terminated for downloading and viewing pornography on his government-issued computer. Under the statute, the President and the Secretary of State were powerless to overrule the Board's decision.
The opinion published today by the Office of Legal Counsel and signed by Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser concludes that the statutory provisions that gave the FSGB final decision-making authority violate Article II and cannot be enforced. The political accountability written into our Constitution requires that the President maintain control over the Executive Branch. This control is nowhere more critical than in the realm of foreign policy. To restore constitutional order in the Foreign Service, final decision-making power must be vested in a presidentially accountable Executive Branch officer -- here, the Secretary of State.
Going forward, DOJ has advised that the FSGB may continue to hear grievances as before, but the Secretary will retain final decision-making authority, as the Constitution requires.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-office-legal-counsel-concludes-constitution-requires-presidential-control
Interior Department Finalizes Plans for 2027-2028 Colorado River Operations
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release:
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Interior Department Finalizes Plans for 2027-2028 Colorado River Operations
Secretary Burgum signs 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines and Record of Decision
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The Department of the Interior issued the 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines and the Record of Decision for the Post-2026 Colorado River Operations Final EIS, establishing a 10-year Decision Framework with a broad operational range that will be used to develop future operational guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Together
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release:
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Interior Department Finalizes Plans for 2027-2028 Colorado River Operations
Secretary Burgum signs 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines and Record of Decision
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The Department of the Interior issued the 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines and the Record of Decision for the Post-2026 Colorado River Operations Final EIS, establishing a 10-year Decision Framework with a broad operational range that will be used to develop future operational guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Togetherthese decisions provide for reliable operations of the Colorado River system, delivery of vital water supplies, and protect critical federal infrastructure while preserving the flexibility necessary to respond to Basin states' voluntary actions, consensus recommendations and the continued prolonged drought. The combined contents of Lake Powell and Lake Mead have not been this low since before Lake Powell began filling following the closure of the gates at Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, with both Lake Powell and Lake Mead hitting record lows the last few weeks.
"We are grateful for the Seven Basin States, the thirty Basin Tribes, Mexico, and many other basin stakeholders who have provided the feedback and voluntary arrangements necessary for the development of the 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines." said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "Forty million people, millions of acres of farmland and ranchland, industries that power the American West, and some of our nation's fastest growing metropolitan areas depend on the Colorado River."
The 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines respond to hydrologic conditions and provide flexible tools to protect critical infrastructure at Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam. They were developed after extensive engagement with the seven Basin States and incorporate concepts from proposals from both the Upper and Lower Basins and Basin tribes.
These 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines:
* Provide objective criteria to determine releases from Lake Powell based on actual hydrology and maintaining a minimum elevation of 3,510 feet to support continued operational reliability at Glen Canyon Dam.
* Provides for reductions in deliveries of Colorado River water among the Lower Basin States of 1.25 million acre-feet in each year of the next two years. If the Lower Basin States implement their proposed sharing agreement, the reduction per State would be:
- Arizona: 760,000 acre-feet
- California: 440,000 acre-feet
- Nevada: 50,000 acre-feet
* Provide for Lower Basin States to voluntarily conserve and store at least 700,000 acre-feet of water over the two-year period to protect the system, in addition to the 1.25 million acre-feet per year of reductions.
* Provide for the Upper Basin States to enter into an agreement, in consultation with Lower Basin States and Basin tribes, using the Secretary's authorities to operate the Colorado River Storage Project Upper Initial Units (i.e. Aspinall (CO), Flaming Gorge (UT/WY) and Navajo (CO/NM) Reservoirs) to help protect Glen Canyon Dam infrastructure.
* Provide tools and flexibility in the Lower Basin to respond to drought conditions by allowing water users to store water.
* Provides for a Federally managed pool to help meet tribal firming obligations and provide limited offsetting to reduce tribal impacts.
* Provide elevation triggers for coordination and consultations to determine additional actions, if necessary, to minimize operational risks to infrastructure, and manage risks to the urban, agricultural, and natural systems that rely on the Colorado River.
Reclamation also released today the August 2026 24-Month Study, determining the 2027 operations based on the new guidelines. Lake Powell will begin the October 1 water year between elevations 3,540 and 3,510 feet, placing operations in the Lower Elevation Infrastructure Protection Range with an expected water year release between 6.0 and 7.0 million acre-feet. Reclamation will begin the water year with lower releases between 6.0 and 7.0 million acre-feet in order to attempt to maintain an elevation of 3,510 feet or higher and will adjust releases through April to continue to maintain elevation 3,510 feet. The water year 2027 release volume will be determined in April. For Lake Mead, water deliveries to the Lower Basin States will be reduced by 1.25 million-acre feet for calendar year 2027.
The Decision Framework establishes an operational range that provides the flexibility to develop specific operating guidelines within the 10-year period while preserving the opportunity for Colorado River Basin negotiations to continue and, if successful, be incorporated into years three or four or longer for future operational guidelines. Operational elements include enhanced coordinated reservoir operations and expanded opportunities for the storage and delivery of conserved water in system reservoirs and other flexible water management tools. The Decision Framework prioritizes consensus agreements, voluntary actions, and a commitment to coordination and consultation throughout the period of adoption.
The Decision Framework anticipates operating guidelines in two-year periods and can be scaled longer depending on evolving Basin circumstances. This mechanism leaves room for the Basin States, tribes and stakeholders to adjust these parameters with their own voluntary actions and consensus whenever such agreements are reached.
"These decisions provide a water management strategy for Basin stakeholders to respond to the prolonged drought by incorporating flexible tools and voluntary actions while leaving room for consensus agreements," said Assistant Secretary -- Water and Science Andrea Travnicek. "The Department and Reclamation will continue to work with all Basin stakeholders to identify areas to maximize efforts throughout the Basin to modernize infrastructure, develop conservation programs, and identify innovative approaches to deliver water under changing conditions".
Since the beginning of the Trump administration, President Trump has made delivering water to people a high priority. The administration has demonstrated a commitment to improving and enhancing water supply within the Colorado River Basin through investments in water storage, distribution, treatment, and improving water efficiency. Specifically in the Lower Basin investments over $3 billion have been made since January 2025.
In April 2026, the Secretary asked for feedback from the seven Basin States on potential water supply and conservation projects throughout the Colorado River Basin during a time of shortage. The administration continues to review the submittals and will work with the Basin States and Basin Tribes to identify opportunities to use available Working Families Tax Cuts funds, and other federal cost-share programs related to water storage and expansion and optimization; desalination and advanced water treatment; and water movement, exchanges and infrastructure.
Background
The NEPA process was initiated in June 2023. Over this three-year period the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation engaged extensively with Basin stakeholders and that input is reflected in the alternatives analyzed in the Final EIS and the Preferred Alternative of a Decision Framework that would guide future operational guidelines, released on July 31, 2026. The 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines and ROD released today further incorporate extensive feedback from Basin stakeholders. The Final EIS, ROD and 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines are available on Reclamation's website.
For the past 26 years, the Colorado River Basin has been experiencing an unprecedented multidecadal drought, resulting in historically low runoff and reservoir levels. Conditions worsened during 2026, driven in part by the lowest observed snowpack on record during the winter of 2025-2026. Last week, Lake Mead reached a record-low elevation, highlighting the need for flexible operations that can respond to rapidly changing conditions across the Colorado River Basin.
A separate binational process addressing water deliveries to Mexico is nearing completion and the Department is committed to continued collaboration with Mexico. The Department will conduct all necessary and appropriate discussions regarding post-2026 operations and implementation of the 1944 Water Treaty with Mexico through the International Boundary and Water Commission in consultation with the Department of State.
The Colorado River provides water for more than 40 million people and generates hydropower for seven states. It serves as a vital resource for 30 tribes and two Mexican states, sustaining 5.5 million acres of farmland and agricultural communities throughout the West, while also supporting critical ecosystems and protecting endangered species.
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Original text here: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5392
FCC Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau Issues Public Notice: Conditional Approval, Exemption of Certain Uncrewed Aircraft Systems & Routers From FCC Covered List
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The Federal Communications Commission Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 18-89, ET Docket No. 21-232, EA Docket No. 21-233):
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The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC or Commission) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB or Bureau) maintains a list of equipment and services (Covered List) that have been determined to "pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons."/1 Pursuant to section 2 of the Secure and Trusted Communications
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The Federal Communications Commission Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 18-89, ET Docket No. 21-232, EA Docket No. 21-233):
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The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC or Commission) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB or Bureau) maintains a list of equipment and services (Covered List) that have been determined to "pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons."/1 Pursuant to section 2 of the Secure and Trusted CommunicationsNetworks Act of 2019 (Secure Networks Act)/2 and sections 1.50002(a) and 1.50003 of the Commission's rules,/3 PSHSB announces that the Department of War (DoW) has granted Conditional Approvals for certain uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and routers. Therefore, such devices are exempt from the Covered List.
Additions of UAS and UAS Critical Components, and Routers to the Covered List:
UAS and UAS Critical Components. On December 22, 2025, PSHSB issued a Public Notice adding all UAS and UAS critical components produced in a foreign country to the Covered List./4 This action was based on a National Security Determination from an Executive Branch interagency body, including several appropriate national security agencies, determining (among other things) that UAS and UAS critical components produced in a foreign country pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons. In that Public Notice, we stated, "[i]f we receive a further specific determination from the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security that a given UAS, class of UAS, or UAS critical component does not pose unacceptable risks, we will further update the Covered List."/5
In January 2026, we updated the Covered List to reflect DoW's determinations that, until January 1, 2027, UAS and UAS critical components included on DoW's Blue UAS Cleared List and UAS and UAS critical components that qualify as "domestic end products" under the Buy American Standard do not pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons./6 In March 2026, we updated the Covered List to reflect the first Conditional Approvals that the FCC received from the DoW, exempting specific UAS and UAS critical components "which have been granted a Conditional Approval by DoW or DHS" from the Covered List./7 Additionally, on June 15, 2026, based on a National Security Determination from DoW, PSHSB updated the Covered List to exempt "Toy Drones" as defined in the National Security Determination and "Toy Drones that contain foreign-produced components."/8
On July 21, 2026, we updated the Covered List to reflect DoW's determination that extended timelines for the exemption of UAS and UAS critical components included on DoW's Blue UAS Cleared List and UAS and UAS critical components that qualify as "domestic end products" under the Buy American Standard to January 1, 2028./9 We also updated the Covered List to reflect DoW's determination that Conditional Approvals for foreign-produced UAS and UAS critical components will not terminate on December 31, 2026, so long as the applicant complies with its approved onshoring plan and updated vetting of the products./10 Additionally, under DoW's determination, a Conditional Approval will terminate--and the device will be restored to the Covered List--if the applicant fails to adhere to the onshoring plan or if the U.S. Government discovers any false statements or misrepresentations in the application./11
Routers. On March 23, 2026, the Commission added to the Covered List "routers produced in a foreign country, except routers which have been granted a Conditional Approval by DoW or DHS."/12 This addition was based on a National Security Determination from an Executive Branch interagency body, including several appropriate national security agencies, determining (among other things) that routers produced in a foreign country pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons./13
Conditional Approvals:
The Executive Branch interagency body established a process by which entities producing UAS and UAS critical components and routers in foreign countries can request DoW or the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate whether such devices do not pose unacceptable risks to national security and receive Conditional Approvals that would exempt such devices from the Covered List. The Commission has updated the Covered List to reflect the Conditional Approvals that we have received from the DoW exempting certain UAS and UAS critical components and routers from the Covered List./14
DoW has reviewed submissions and granted Conditional Approvals for the following devices:
* Ascento, Inc.'s Ascento Guard Dori USA v1 Uncrewed Aircraft System/15
* WNC Corporation's LVR5A, LVM9, and LV85C Wi-Fi Routers (terminating February 21, 2028) The Covered List:
We find that each of the Conditional Approvals constitutes "a specific determination" by DoW that such devices do not pose risks to U.S. national security./16 Therefore, we conclude that PSHSB is required to update the Covered List to exclude the equipment identified in these Conditional Approvals.
PSHSB takes this action under its authority and obligation to publish and maintain the Covered List. Sections 1.50002(a) and 1.50003 of the Commission's rules require PSHSB to publish the Covered List on the Commission's website, to maintain and update the Covered List, and to monitor the status of determinations./17
The Covered List and the list of devices that have received Conditional Approvals are attached as Appendices A and B to this Public Notice and can also be found on the Bureau's website at https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist./18
We note the continued availability of FCC staff guidance pursuant to sections 0.191 and 0.31(i) of the Commission's rules. Commission staff will provide guidance to TCBs, test labs, and equipment authorization applicants on the impact of these updates.
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Original text plus footnotes here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-875A1.pdf
