Following the decisive election on November 5, the process of selecting and vetting individuals to fill the second Trump administration’s key appointed positions is quickly shifting into high gear. For those tapped for consideration, the decision to enter the process
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An Empty Chair and a Not-so-Empty Threat: Senate HELP Committee to Vote on Rare Civil and Criminal Subpoena Enforcement Actions Against Steward Health Care CEO
This week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) will vote to pursue civil enforcement and criminal contempt of Congress charges against Steward Health Care CEO Dr. Ralph de la Torre. If the vote succeeds, and it
SEC Enforcement Order Highlights Far Reach of Pay-to-Play Restrictions
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week issued a cease-and-desist order that demonstrates the SEC pay-to-play rule’s expansiveness and the SEC’s readiness to enforce it to the letter, even when it is virtually impossible that a political contribution could
Avoiding Pitfalls on the Path to Election Day: Common Political Law Risks for Corporations in Election Season
With Election Day fast approaching, corporations face increasing pressure from both internal and external forces to make legal decisions about political activities. This can be a fraught area of law, with little understood, highly technical regulatory issues that vary significantly
FCC Chair Proposes AI Labeling for Political Ads on TV and Radio
With the 2024 election cycle in full swing in the United States, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asked her fellow Commissioners to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on a proposal to require
Headed to Milwaukee or Chicago this Summer? Political and Governmental Ethics Rules at the 2024 National Party Conventions
The Democratic and Republican National Party Conventions are a premiere forum for businesses and trade groups to elevate their priorities to candidates, elected officials, and staff. However, thanks to a complex regulatory regime, participation in convention events can invite scrutiny
Georgia Governor Vetoes “Baby” FARA Bill
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has vetoed Georgia Senate Bill 368, which would have created a requirement in state law for certain “agents of foreign principals” to register and report certain lobbying and political activities in Georgia. This is the first
States Introduce More “Baby” FARA Bills
Over the past several weeks, legislatures in Arizona, California, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Tennessee have introduced bills that mirror the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”). There has been a trend in the states to enact so-called
As States Lead Efforts to Address Deepfakes in Political Ads, Federal Lawmakers Seek Nationwide Policies
A New Orleans magician recently made headlines for using artificial intelligence (AI) to emulate President Biden’s voice without his consent in a misleading robocall to New Hampshire voters. This was not a magic trick, but rather a demonstration of the
Gratuity or Gift? The Supreme Court May Soon Delineate the Difference
Federal circuit courts are split on a core question of corruption law: whether state and local officials, and agents of organizations that contract with or receive benefits from the federal government, may lawfully accept gratuities.
It is generally a federal