Federal Regulatory Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal regulatory agencies
Featured Stories
USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Lightweight Thermal Paper from China
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Lightweight Thermal Paper from China
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Bulletin 25-079
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-451, 731-TA-1126
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission has made affirmative determinations in its expedited five-year (sunset) reviews concerning lightweight thermal paper from China.
Note to users: This bulletin will be replaced by the news release when the release is available. News releases are
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Lightweight Thermal Paper from China
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Bulletin 25-079
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-451, 731-TA-1126
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission has made affirmative determinations in its expedited five-year (sunset) reviews concerning lightweight thermal paper from China.
Note to users: This bulletin will be replaced by the news release when the release is available. News releases aregenerally issued approximately three hours after a Commission vote.
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Original text here: https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2025/er1223_67898.htm
FCC Updates Covered List to Include Foreign UAS and UAS Critical Components on Going Forward Basis
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release:
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FCC Updates Covered List to Include Foreign UAS and UAS Critical Components on Going Forward Basis
Decision Helps Restore Our Airspace Sovereignty and Unleash American Drone Dominance Without Disrupting Ongoing Use of Previously Authorized Drones
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As President Trump stated in the Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty Executive Order, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), otherwise known as drones, offer the potential to greatly enhance public safety and innovation. At the same time, criminals,
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release:
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FCC Updates Covered List to Include Foreign UAS and UAS Critical Components on Going Forward Basis
Decision Helps Restore Our Airspace Sovereignty and Unleash American Drone Dominance Without Disrupting Ongoing Use of Previously Authorized Drones
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As President Trump stated in the Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty Executive Order, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), otherwise known as drones, offer the potential to greatly enhance public safety and innovation. At the same time, criminals,hostile foreign actors, and terrorists can use them to present new and serious threats to our homeland. As the United States prepares to host several mass-gathering events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America250 celebrations, and the 2028 LA Summer Olympics, the federal government is taking additional actions to safeguard Americans and restore American airspace sovereignty.
Additionally, as President Trump's Unleashing American Drone Dominance Executive Order and National Security Strategy outlined, ensuring a strong and resilient drone industrial base is an economic and national security priority. Relying on foreign-made UAS threatens national security.
Yesterday, following a thorough review by an Executive Branch interagency body with appropriate national security expertise that was convened by the White House, the FCC received a specific determination that UAS and UAS critical component parts that are produced in foreign countries pose "unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons" and should be included on the FCC's Covered List, unless the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security makes a specific determination to the FCC that a given UAS, class of UAS, or UAS critical component does not pose such risks. The determination includes the equipment and services listed in Section 1709 of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act.
Therefore, consistent with this National Security Determination, the FCC updated the Covered List to include UAS and UAS critical components produced abroad.
As specified below, today's decision does not impact a consumer's ability to continue using drones they previously purchased or acquired. Nor does today's decision prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market device models approved earlier this year or previously through the FCC's equipment authorization process. By operation of the FCC's Covered List rules, the restrictions imposed by today's decision apply to new device models.
Chairman Carr issued the following statement:
"I welcome this Executive Branch national security determination, and I am pleased that the FCC has now added foreign drones and related components, which pose an unacceptable national security risk, to the FCC's Covered List. Following President Trump's leadership, the FCC will work closely with U.S. drone makers to unleash American drone dominance."
Additional Background:
* The FCC's Covered List is a list of communications equipment and services that are deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the U.S. or the safety and security of U.S. persons.
* Under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, the Commission can update the Covered List only at the direction of national security authorities. In other words, the Commission cannot update this list on its own and is required to implement determinations that are made by our national security agency experts.
* Equipment on the Covered List ("covered" equipment) is prohibited from getting FCC equipment authorization. Most wireless devices require FCC equipment authorization prior to importation, marketing, or sale in the U.S. Covered equipment is banned from receiving new equipment authorizations, preventing new devices from entering the U.S. market.
* The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency encourages organizations to use the Covered List for risk management analysis in their regulatory compliance efforts.
* In their determination, national security agencies referenced, among other things, concerns that that foreign-made UAS could be used for attacks and disruptions, unauthorized surveillance, sensitive data exfiltration, and other UAS threats to the homeland. Additionally, the determination noted that reliance on such devices unacceptably undermines the U.S. drone industrial base.
What does this mean?
* New devices on the Covered List, such as foreign-made drones, are prohibited from receiving FCC authorization and are therefore prohibited from being imported for use or sale in the U.S. This update to the Covered List does not prohibit the import, sale, or use of any existing device models the FCC previously authorized.
* This action does not affect any previously-purchased drone. Consumers can continue to use any drone they have already lawfully purchased or acquired. \
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-416839A1.pdf
EEOC Sues U.S. Steel for Pregnancy Discrimination and Retaliation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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EEOC Sues U.S. Steel for Pregnancy Discrimination and Retaliation
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Federal agency charges steelmaker failed to accommodate pregnant employee
MINNEAPOLIS - U.S. Steel, a multinational steel and iron mining company, violated federal law when it failed to provide an employee with a reasonable accommodation for her pregnancy, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit announced today.
According to the lawsuit, an experienced mining equipment operator
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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EEOC Sues U.S. Steel for Pregnancy Discrimination and Retaliation
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Federal agency charges steelmaker failed to accommodate pregnant employee
MINNEAPOLIS - U.S. Steel, a multinational steel and iron mining company, violated federal law when it failed to provide an employee with a reasonable accommodation for her pregnancy, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit announced today.
According to the lawsuit, an experienced mining equipment operatorat U.S. Steel's Minntac mine in northern Minnesota needed to avoid working on the most physically jarring machinery as an accommodation during her high-risk pregnancy. Instead of temporarily allowing her to do other work within her job description, U.S. Steel placed her on an involuntary leave for several weeks. Although the company later let her come back to work, it first assigned her to work inconsistent with her medical restrictions and then removed her from her normal role altogether. She spent the rest of her pregnancy in a menial office job with reduced earning potential.
The lawsuit further alleged that U.S. Steel retaliated against her after her pregnancy, by denying her higher-paying assignments and sending her to more difficult and less desirable jobs in remote areas of the mine.
"It is important that employers understand that the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act created new and meaningful legal protections for pregnant workers," Catherine Eschbach, acting EEOC General Counsel. "Employers should promptly review and update their workplace policies and practices to ensure they comply with the law."
Such alleged conduct violates the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which requires employers, absent undue hardship, to provide reasonable accommodations for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. The PWFA also prohibits punishing an employee for requesting such accommodations or for reporting PWFA violations to the EEOC. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. U.S. Steel, Case No. 0:25-cv-04721) in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process.
The PWFA went into effect on June 27, 2023. Resources for employees, employers, and healthcare providers are available at: https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-pregnant-workers-fairness-act.
For more information on pregnancy discrimination, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/pregnancy-discrimination. For more information on retaliation, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/retaliation.
The EEOC's Chicago District Office has jurisdiction over Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and North and South Dakota, with Area Offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against businesses and other private sector employers for violations of federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. For public sector employers, the EEOC shares jurisdiction with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division; the EEOC is responsible for investigating charges against state and local government employers before referring them to DOJ for potential litigation. The EEOC also is responsible for coordinating the federal government's employment antidiscrimination effort. More information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.
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Original text here: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-sues-us-steel-pregnancy-discrimination-and-retaliation
Michael Selig Sworn In as 16th CFTC Chairman
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following news release:
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Michael Selig Sworn In as 16th CFTC Chairman
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WASHINGTON Michael S. Selig was sworn in today to serve as the 16th Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Chairman Selig was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to the post on October 27, 2025, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 18, 2025.
"I'm grateful for the confidence President Trump has placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the CFTC at this pivotal time," Chairman Selig said. "Today begins a new chapter
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following news release:
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Michael Selig Sworn In as 16th CFTC Chairman
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WASHINGTON Michael S. Selig was sworn in today to serve as the 16th Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Chairman Selig was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to the post on October 27, 2025, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 18, 2025.
"I'm grateful for the confidence President Trump has placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the CFTC at this pivotal time," Chairman Selig said. "Today begins a new chapterfor the CFTC. We are at a unique moment as a wide range of novel technologies, products, and platforms are emerging, retail participation in the commodity markets is at an all-time high, and Congress is poised to send digital asset market structure legislation to the President's desk, cementing the U.S. as the Crypto Capital of the World. I welcome the vital responsibility to oversee the stability and security of America's commodity derivatives markets during this period of rapid transformation. No agency is better suited to pioneer commonsense rules of the road for the new financial markets of America's Golden Age than the Commodity Future s Trading Commission. Under my leadership. The CFTC will conquer these great frontiers and ensure that the innovations of tomorrow are Made in America."
Chairman Selig brings to the role deep public and private sector experience working with a wide range of stakeholders across agriculture, energy, financial, and digital asset industries, which rely upon and operate in CFTC-regulated markets.
Chairman Selig most recently served as chief counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Crypto Task Force and senior advisor to SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins. In this role, Chairman Selig helped to develop a clear regulatory framework for digital asset securities markets, harmonize the SEC and CFTC regulatory regimes, modernize the agency's rules to reflect new and emerging technologies, and put an end to regulation by enforcement. He also participated in the President's Working Group on Digital Asset Markets and contributed to its report on "Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology."
Prior to government service, Chairman Selig was a partner at an international law firm, focusing on derivatives and securities regulatory matters. During his years in private practice, he represented a broad range of clients subject to regulation by the CFTC, including commercial end users, futures commission merchants, commodity trading advisors, swap dealers, designated contract markets, derivatives clearing organizations, and digital asset firms. Chairman Selig advised clients on compliance with the Commodity Exchange Act and the CFTC's rules and regulations thereunder, including in connection with registration applications and obligations, enforcement matters, and complex transactions.
Chairman Selig earned his law degree from The George Washington University Law School and was articles editor of The George Washington Law Review. He received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University.
-CFTC-
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Original text here: https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9164-25
FTC Warns 10 Companies About Possible Violations of the Agency's New Consumer Review Rule
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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FTC Warns 10 Companies About Possible Violations of the Agency's New Consumer Review Rule
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Federal Trade Commission staff sent letters to 10 companies, warning them of potential violations of the agency's Consumer Review Rule, which prohibits certain deceptive or unfair conduct related to the use of product reviews in advertising and marketing.
"Fake or false consumer reviews are detrimental to consumers' ability to make accurate and informed choices about the products they are buying - something
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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FTC Warns 10 Companies About Possible Violations of the Agency's New Consumer Review Rule
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Federal Trade Commission staff sent letters to 10 companies, warning them of potential violations of the agency's Consumer Review Rule, which prohibits certain deceptive or unfair conduct related to the use of product reviews in advertising and marketing.
"Fake or false consumer reviews are detrimental to consumers' ability to make accurate and informed choices about the products they are buying - somethingof particular importance during the holiday season," said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "As consumers increasingly depend on online reviews, the FTC is committed to ensuring companies comply with this Rule."
The Rule prohibits reviews and testimonials that misrepresent whether a reviewer's experience was positive or negative, or whether the reviewer used the product or service at all. It also prohibits businesses from conditioning compensation or other incentives on reviewers expressing a particular sentiment, either positive or negative, or from failing to disclose when reviews are written by company insiders or their immediate relatives. The Rule contains additional provisions relating to company-controlled review websites, suppressing certain reviews, and misusing indicators of social media influence like the number of followers or views.
The letters, which were based on consumer complaints and information provided by the companies, are not formal determinations that the recipients have violated the Consumer Review Rule. The letters, however, remind the recipients of their obligations under the Rule, and warn them that Rule violations can result in the filing of a federal lawsuit or other legal action, and civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation.
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Original text here: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/ftc-warns-10-companies-about-possible-violations-agencys-new-consumer-review-rule
FTC Analysis shows Consumers Have Lost Millions to Rental Scams
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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FTC Analysis shows Consumers Have Lost Millions to Rental Scams
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New analysis from the Federal Trade Commission shows that since 2020 consumers reported nearly 65,000 rental scams, many of which originated from fake listings on sites like Facebook and Craigslist, and losses totaling about $65 million.
Rental scams usually involve fake rental listings, which can often look very real and copy information from legitimate listings but are posted with the scammer's contact information on different sites,
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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FTC Analysis shows Consumers Have Lost Millions to Rental Scams
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New analysis from the Federal Trade Commission shows that since 2020 consumers reported nearly 65,000 rental scams, many of which originated from fake listings on sites like Facebook and Craigslist, and losses totaling about $65 million.
Rental scams usually involve fake rental listings, which can often look very real and copy information from legitimate listings but are posted with the scammer's contact information on different sites,according to the FTC's latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight.
Many of these ads are found on social media sites. In fact, the FTC found that about half of people who reported a rental scam in the 12 months ending June 2025 said the scam originated with a fake ad on Facebook. People ages 18 to 29 were three times more likely than other adults to report losing money to a rental scam.
Reports show these scams can take different forms including:
* Scammers pressure consumers to provide money upfront before seeing the rental property in person.
* Scammers push consumers to prove they are creditworthy by sending screenshots of their credit scores. They send consumers affiliate links to websites to sign up for a credit check for little cost, but this may enroll the consumer in a paid membership with recurring fees.
* Scammers collect personal information from consumers such as their Social Security number, driver's license or paystubs to steal their identity.
Some ways to help avoid rental scams include searching for the rental address online to see if the same property is listed with different prices, contact information, or is listed as being for sale. Consumers should also avoid sharing personal information until they have agreed to rent a property. In addition, consumers should check out typical rents. If the advertised rent of a listing is much cheaper than rents for similar rentals in the same area, that could be a sign of a scam.
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Original text here: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/ftc-analysis-shows-consumers-have-lost-millions-rental-scams
Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham Announces Departure from CFTC
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following news release:
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Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham Announces Departure from CFTC
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WASHINGTON Commodity Futures Trading Commission Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham today announced her departure from public service. Her last day at the Commission will be December 22, 2025.
Pham was sworn in as a CFTC Commissioner on April 14, 2022, after being nominated by the President and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. She was designated as the CFTC's Acting Chairman on January 20, 2025, following the inauguration
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following news release:
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Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham Announces Departure from CFTC
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WASHINGTON Commodity Futures Trading Commission Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham today announced her departure from public service. Her last day at the Commission will be December 22, 2025.
Pham was sworn in as a CFTC Commissioner on April 14, 2022, after being nominated by the President and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. She was designated as the CFTC's Acting Chairman on January 20, 2025, following the inaugurationof President Donald J. Trump.
"It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead the CFTC during such a historic moment for market structure and innovation," said Acting Chairman Pham. "I am incredibly proud of the CFTC and all its dedicated staff for their hard work and commitment this year to deliver on our pledge to get back to basics and regular order. As I said at the beginning of the year, as the CFTC celebrates our 50 th anniversary, we have always served our mission to promote market integrity and liquidity in the commodity derivatives markets that are critical to the real economy and global trade ensuring American growers, producers, merchants, and other commercial end-users can mitigate risks to their business and support strong U.S. economic growth.
"This year, we also refocused on our mandate to promote responsible innovation and fair competition as the CFTC prepares to take on expanded oversight of new markets and new products like digital assets, crypto, and prediction markets. I am deeply grateful for the CFTC's expertise, experience, and care in safeguarding the public's trust while championing progress, growth, and access to markets. I am thrilled to welcome Michael Selig as the 16 th Chairman of the CFTC. His pragmatic, common sense approach will ensure the CFTC strikes the right balance of innovation and market integrity."
During Acting Chairman Pham's tenure at the CFTC, she has been a champion for good government, proposing and implementing a number of reforms to protect Constitutional rights and promote due process and transparency. Pham's decisive leadership delivered results this year on providing regulatory clarity, right-sizing regulations, promoting innovation, ending regulation by enforcement, and modernizing the CFTC's operations for both efficiency and effectiveness.
Accomplishments include addressing longstanding Dodd-Frank Act issues and swaps regulation, issuing a comprehensive framework for self-reporting and cooperation in enforcement actions and referrals for non-compliance issues, and enabling innovation in market structure, such as perpetual contracts, 24/7 trading, and prediction markets. Pham launched the CFTC's Crypto Sprint to implement the President's Working Group on Digital Asset Markets report recommendations, achieving historic milestones such as listed spot crypto trading on CFTC-registered futures exchanges, digital asset markets pilot program, tokenized collateral guidance, and the CFTC Crypto CEO Forum and CEO Innovation Council.
Her CFTC modernization efforts include deploying the CFTC's first automated market surveillance system, saving nearly $50 million in annualized costs, and restructuring the CFTC's organization and operations to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Pham's efforts to reduce regulatory burdens to promote U.S. economic growth has resulted in unlocking many tens of billions of dollars of capital and collateral regulatory relief and saving an estimate of hundreds of millions of dollars annually for market participants, as well as launching a pilot program to increase liquidity and hedging in energy markets and deliver potentially billions in energy savings.
-CFTC-
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Original text here: https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9163-25
