Federal Regulatory Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal regulatory agencies
Featured Stories
FCC Launches Investigations Into Suspect Lifeline Providers in California and Other Opt-Out States
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release on Feb. 17, 2026:
* * *
FCC Launches Investigations into Suspect Lifeline Providers in California and Other Opt-Out States
Today, the Federal Communications Commission launched investigations into Lifeline providers for possible violations of program rules in California and other opt-out states. Based on initial reports, it appears that these providers enrolled dead and duplicate subscribers in Lifeline--the program that provides low-income Americans with a discount on their phone and internet service.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release on Feb. 17, 2026:
* * *
FCC Launches Investigations into Suspect Lifeline Providers in California and Other Opt-Out States
Today, the Federal Communications Commission launched investigations into Lifeline providers for possible violations of program rules in California and other opt-out states. Based on initial reports, it appears that these providers enrolled dead and duplicate subscribers in Lifeline--the program that provides low-income Americans with a discount on their phone and internet service.The FCC's Enforcement Bureau has sent formal Letters of Inquiry to an initial group of providers operating in states that opted to run their own program eligibility verifications instead of mandating use of the National Verifier.
Chairman Brendan Carr issued the following statement:
"I'll reiterate: my position is that the government should not be spending your money to provide phone and internet service to dead people. In keeping with this apparently controversial stance, the FCC is cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse by launching investigations into the apparent enrollment of dead people and duplicate subscribers in this critical connectivity program. California's efforts to get around federal rules to prevent misuse of federal dollars has already resulted in their being kicked out of the 'opt-out' program and now we are launching investigations into the companies that may be facilitating this type of waste, fraud and abuse."
Additional Background Information:
Today, the FCC announced that its Enforcement Bureau has launched investigations into a number of Lifeline providers for potential program enrollment rule violations. The first step of any such investigation is to send Letters of Inquiry to the providers. These investigations utilize both Bureau investigative tools and the recent advisory from the FCC's Office of Inspector General on deceased and duplicate Lifeline subscribers.
Following that Inspector General advisory, Chairman Carr proposed significant new reforms to strengthen the integrity of the FCC Lifeline rules to enhance program integrity, prevent fraud, and ensure that federal dollars go only to eligible low-income Americans. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will be voted on by the Commission at tomorrow's Open Meeting.
In November 2025, the FCC revoked California's 'opt-out' status and now requires federal Lifeline applicants in California to comply with the federal verification process that applies in nearly every other state. The recent Inspector General Advisory bolsters this decision as it shows California enrolled deceased individuals into the Lifeline program using its own eligibility standards.
* * *
Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418705A1.pdf
SMP v. FEC alleges failure to act on administrative complaint (26-337)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following record:
* * *
SMP v. FEC alleges failure to act on administrative complaint (26-337)
*
On February 5, 2026, Senate Majority PAC (plaintiff) filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (the court) alleging the FEC failed to act on its administrative complaint. The plaintiff seeks injunctive and declaratory relief under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act)
Background
According to the court complaint, plaintiff filed an administrative complaint with the FEC on August 13, 2025, alleging
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following record:
* * *
SMP v. FEC alleges failure to act on administrative complaint (26-337)
*
On February 5, 2026, Senate Majority PAC (plaintiff) filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (the court) alleging the FEC failed to act on its administrative complaint. The plaintiff seeks injunctive and declaratory relief under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act)
Background
According to the court complaint, plaintiff filed an administrative complaint with the FEC on August 13, 2025, allegingviolations of the Act by Nevada Victory Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sam Brown for Nevada, and Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. (respondents). The complaint alleges Sarkes Tarzian made unlawful, in-kind corporate contributions to the other respondents in the form of discounted television advertising rates that were not available to other advertisers, including the plaintiff.
Plaintiff alleges the FEC has failed to act on its complaint and asks the court to declare the FEC's actions contrary to law and order the agency to conform with the court's declaration within 30 days.
Resources
* SMP v. FEC (26-337) litigation page
***
Original text here: https://www.fec.gov/updates/smp-v-fec-alleges-failure-to-act-on-administrative-complaint-26-337/
Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from China Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from China Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC
*
Bulletin 26-012
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-757, 731-TA-1737
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission has made affirmative determinations in its final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations concerning Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from China.
Note to users: This bulletin will be replaced by the news release when the release is available. News releases
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from China Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC
*
Bulletin 26-012
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-757, 731-TA-1737
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission has made affirmative determinations in its final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations concerning Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from China.
Note to users: This bulletin will be replaced by the news release when the release is available. News releasesare generally issued approximately three hours after a Commission vote.
***
Original text here: https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2026/er0217_68136.htm
FinCEN Issues Exceptive Relief on a Bank Secrecy Act Requirement for Credit Unions
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 17 -- The National Credit Union Administration issued the following news release:
* * *
FinCEN Issues Exceptive Relief on a Bank Secrecy Act Requirement for Credit Unions
*
FinCEN Order Amends Requirement to Identify and Verify Beneficial Owners at Each Account Opening
Alexandria, VA (February 17, 2026) -Last week, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced a new Bank Secrecy Act regulatory relief opportunity regarding the Customer Due Diligence regulation. 1
On February 13, 2026, FinCEN issued an Exceptive Order that removed the regulatory requirement
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Feb. 17 -- The National Credit Union Administration issued the following news release:
* * *
FinCEN Issues Exceptive Relief on a Bank Secrecy Act Requirement for Credit Unions
*
FinCEN Order Amends Requirement to Identify and Verify Beneficial Owners at Each Account Opening
Alexandria, VA (February 17, 2026) -Last week, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced a new Bank Secrecy Act regulatory relief opportunity regarding the Customer Due Diligence regulation. 1
On February 13, 2026, FinCEN issued an Exceptive Order that removed the regulatory requirementfor credit unions to identify and verify information for business customers each time the business customer opens a new account. Pursuant to FinCEN's order, credit unions may limit identification and verification of these customers to the following circumstances:
* When a legal entity customer (business) first opens an account,
* Any time afterwards when the financial institution has knowledge of facts that would reasonably call into question the reliability of beneficial ownership information previously obtained, and
* As needed based on the financial institution's own risk-based procedures for conducting ongoing due diligence.
This exceptive relief is optional, and credit unions are not required to use it. Credit unions must continue to comply with all anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act and its implementing regulations.
For additional information, please see This is an external link to a website belonging to another federal agency, private organization, or commercial entity. FinCEN's Announcement on Exceptive Relief for Customer Due Diligence (Opens new window). If you have any questions about the order, please contact FinCEN's Regulatory Support Section by submitting an inquiry at This is an external link to a website belonging to another federal agency, private organization, or commercial entity. www.fincen.gov/contact (Opens new window), or contact your examiner.
***
Original text here: https://ncua.gov/newsroom/press-release/2026/fincen-issues-exceptive-relief-bank-secrecy-act-requirement-credit-unions
NRC Licenses TRISO-X LLC Fuel Fabrication Facility in Tennessee
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
NRC Licenses TRISO-X LLC Fuel Fabrication Facility in Tennessee
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a license to TRISO-X, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-energy, LLC, authorizing the commercial fabrication of nuclear fuel for advanced reactors known as tristructural isotropic fuel. This license marks the first-ever U.S. approval of a category II fuel fabrication facility.
"Commercial-scale production of this fuel is key to enabling the deployment of advanced reactor designs," said
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following news release:
* * *
NRC Licenses TRISO-X LLC Fuel Fabrication Facility in Tennessee
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a license to TRISO-X, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-energy, LLC, authorizing the commercial fabrication of nuclear fuel for advanced reactors known as tristructural isotropic fuel. This license marks the first-ever U.S. approval of a category II fuel fabrication facility.
"Commercial-scale production of this fuel is key to enabling the deployment of advanced reactor designs," saidNRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh. "This license represents an important milestone that supports the Department of Energy's program to accelerate deployment of nuclear technologies and deliver more power to the grid."
The license allows TRISO-X to possess and use special nuclear material at a facility that is under construction on the 110-acre Horizon Center Site, a greenfield site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
TRISO fuel is composed of small spheres of enriched uranium that are coated with multiple layers of carbon and ceramic materials, forming a robust shell that can withstand high temperatures. Compared to the fuel used by the operating fleet, high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel, or HALEU, has a higher percentage of U-235, the form of uranium that is able to sustain a chain reaction. Enriched uranium is one form of special nuclear material, which is defined based on its ability to fission.
The NRC's review of the license application included a safety and security review and an environmental review. The application was approved three months ahead of the published schedule due to multiple efficiencies applied in the staff's review processes. A safety evaluation report documenting the technical review will be made public within 30 days. The final environmental impact statement was published on Feb. 12, 2026.
TRISO-X submitted its license application April 5, 2022, and its environmental report Sept. 23, 2022, then supplemented the application on Dec. 30, 2024.
* * *
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created as an expert, technical agency to protect public health, safety, and security, and regulate the civilian use of nuclear materials, including enabling the deployment of nuclear power for the benefit of society. Among other responsibilities, the agency issues licenses, conducts inspections, initiates and enforces regulations, and plans for incident response. The NRC is collaborating with interagency partners to implement reforms outlined in new Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act to streamline agency activities and enhance efficiency.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.nrc.gov/sites/default/files/cdn/doc-collection-news/2026/26-019.pdf
FEC Issues Digest for Week of Feb. 9-13, 2026
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
* * *
Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
* * *
Advisory Opinions
Extension of Time
Advisory Opinion Request 2025-08 (Coolidge Reagan Foundation) On February 12, the requestor granted an extension of time.
* * *
Litigation
Bernegger v. FEC (Case No. 25-4072) On February 6, Plaintiff filed a First Amended Complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Bernegger v. FEC (Case No. 25-4559) On February 6, Plaintiff filed
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
* * *
Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
* * *
Advisory Opinions
Extension of Time
Advisory Opinion Request 2025-08 (Coolidge Reagan Foundation) On February 12, the requestor granted an extension of time.
* * *
Litigation
Bernegger v. FEC (Case No. 25-4072) On February 6, Plaintiff filed a First Amended Complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Bernegger v. FEC (Case No. 25-4559) On February 6, Plaintiff fileda First Amended Complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
SMP v. FEC (Case No. 26-336) On February 5, Plaintiff filed a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the Commission failed to act on Plaintiff's administrative complaint.
SMP v. FEC (Case No. 26-337) On February 5, Plaintiff filed a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the Commission failed to act on Plaintiff's administrative complaint.
* * *
Reports Due in 2026
The Commission has posted the 2026 Congressional Pre-Election Reporting Dates. Reporting schedules for all filers in 2026 are also available.
* * *
Employment opportunities
The Commission is accepting applications for the position of Attorney-Adviser in the Office of General Counsel. This vacancy announcement is a standing register, open continuously for one year. The next cut-off date is February 23, 2026. Future cut-off dates are at the hiring manager's discretion.
* * *
Election Dates
The Commission has posted a list of 2026 Congressional Primary Dates.
* * *
Upcoming educational opportunities
February 17-18, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host a webinar for candidate committees.
March 3-4, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host a webinar for political party committees.
March 18, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host a webinar for Nonconnected PACs.
For more information on upcoming training opportunities, see the Commission's Trainings page.
* * *
Upcoming reporting due dates
February 20: February Monthly Reports are due. For more information, see the 2026 Monthly Reporting schedules.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the Georgia 14th District Special General Election, scheduled for March 10, 2026, and Special Runoff Election (if necessary), scheduled for April 7, 2026.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the New Jersey 11th District Special General Election, scheduled for April 16, 2026.
The Commission has posted filing information regarding the California 1st District Special General Election, scheduled for June 2, 2026, and Special Runoff Election (if necessary), scheduled for August 4, 2026.
* * *
Additional research materials
Contribution Limits: In addition to the current limits, the Commission has posted an archive of contribution limits that were in effect going back to the 1975-1976 election cycles.
Federal election results are available. The data was compiled from the official vote totals published by state election offices.
FEC Notify: Want to be notified by email when campaign finance reports are received by the agency? Sign up here.
The Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives, and other financial filings.
The Presidential Election Campaign Fund Tax Checkoff Chart provides information on balance of the Fund, monthly deposits into the Fund reported by the Department of the Treasury, payments from the Fund as certified by the FEC, and participation rates of taxpayers as reported by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information on the Presidential Public Funding Program, see the Public Funding of Presidential Elections page.
The FEC Record is available as a continuously updated online news source.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.fec.gov/updates/week-of-february-9-13-2026/
FCC Wireline Competition Bureau Issues Public Notice: Comment Invited on Section 214 Application to Discontinue Domestic Non-Dominant Carrier Telecommunications Services
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 26-31) on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
Unless otherwise specified, the following procedures and dates apply to the application(s) (the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s)) listed in the Appendix.
The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau), upon initial review, has found the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s) listed herein to be acceptable for filing and subject to the procedures set forth in Section 63.71 of the Commission's rules./1 The application(s)
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 26-31) on Feb. 13, 2026:
* * *
Unless otherwise specified, the following procedures and dates apply to the application(s) (the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s)) listed in the Appendix.
The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau), upon initial review, has found the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s) listed herein to be acceptable for filing and subject to the procedures set forth in Section 63.71 of the Commission's rules./1 The application(s)request authority, under section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,/2 and section 63.71 of the Commission's rules,/3 to discontinue, reduce, or impair certain domestic telecommunications service(s) (Affected Service(s)) in specified geographic areas (Service Area(s)) as applicable and as fully described in each application.
In accordance with section 63.71(f) of the Commission's rules, the Section 214 Discontinuance Application(s) listed in the Appendix will be deemed granted automatically on March 16, 2026, the 31st day after the release date of this public notice, unless the Commission notifies any applicant(s) that their grant will not be automatically effective./4 We note that the date on which an application for Commission authorization is deemed granted may be different from the date on which applicants are authorized to discontinue service ("Authorized Date"). Any applicant whose application has been deemed granted may discontinue their Affected Service(s) in their Service Area(s) on or after the authorized discontinuance date(s) specified in the Appendix, in accordance with their filed representations. Accordingly, pursuant to section 63.71(f), and the terms outlined in each application, absent further Commission action, each applicant may discontinue the Affected Service(s) in the Service Area(s) described in their application on or after the authorized discontinuance date(s) listed in the Appendix for that application. For purposes of computation of time when filing a petition for reconsideration, application for review, or petition for judicial review of the Commission's decision(s), the date of "public notice" shall be the later of the auto grant date stated above in this Public Notice, or the release date(s) of any further public notice(s) or order(s) announcing final Commission action, as applicable. Should no petitions for reconsideration, applications for review, or petitions for judicial review be timely filed, the proceeding(s) listed in this Public Notice shall be terminated, and the docket(s) will be closed.
Comments objecting to the application(s) listed in the Appendix must be filed with the Commission on or before March 2, 2026./5 Comments should refer to the specific WC Docket No. and Comp. Pol. File No. listed in the Appendix for the Section 214 Discontinuance Application. Comments should include specific information about the impact of the proposed discontinuance on the commenter, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the Web site for submitting comments. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket number.
Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service. All filings must be addressed to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by the FCC's mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial courier deliveries (any deliveries not by the U.S. Postal Service) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
This proceeding(s) shall be treated as a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding(s) in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules./6 Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding(s) should familiarize themselves with the Commission's ex parte rules.
People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530.
For further information, please see the contact(s) for the specific discontinuance proceeding you are interested in as listed in the Appendix. For further information on procedures regarding section 214 please visit https://www.fcc.gov/general/domestic-section-214-discontinuance-service.
* * *
Footnotes:
1/ 47 CFR Sec. 63.71.
2/ 47 U.S.C. Sec. 214.
3/ 47 CFR Sec. 63.71.
4/ See 47 CFR Sec. 63.71(f)(1) (stating, in relevant part, that an application filed by a non-dominant carrier "shall be automatically granted on the 31st day... unless the Commission has notified the applicant that the grant will not be automatically effective.").
5/ Comments are normally due 15 days after the Commission releases public notice of the proposed discontinuance. 47 CFR Sec. 63.71(a). For purposes of computation of time, if the comment deadline falls on a weekend or officially recognized Federal legal holiday, however, comments will be due on the next business day. See 47 CFR Sec. 1.4(e) and (j).
6/ 47 CFR Sec. 1.1200 et seq.
* * *
Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-159A1.pdf
