Inside Political Law

Updates on developments in campaign finance, lobbying & government ethics law

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Ashden Fein
Matthew Franker
Scott A. Freling

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In recent years, Congress has become increasingly focused on private sector cybersecurity practices as a matter of public concern and national security, particularly as the cybersecurity threat landscape continues to evolve rapidly.  Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have demonstrated sustained interest in whether companies appropriately collect, safeguard, and respond to compromises of sensitive…

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives adopted resolutions holding two witnesses in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with subpoenas issued by the House Committee on Ethics in connection with the Committee’s investigation of alleged congressional ethics violations by former Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.).  The House acted unanimously, by a voice vote, after…

Today the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued an unusual press release that may signal stepped up enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”). In the press release, DOJ reminded the public of FARA’s requirements and warned of potential “civil and criminal liability” for noncompliance. In this alert, we summarize several aspects of…

The artificial intelligence industry could face a new, dedicated congressional investigative committee if Democratic Members of Congress take control of the House of Representatives following November’s midterm elections.  The House Democratic leaders are reportedly laying the groundwork to create a select committee focused on artificial intelligence (“AI”) in the new Congress, potentially with a broad…

Former Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black has taken the unusual step of filing a lawsuit seeking to preclude the House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from enforcing subpoenas the Committee issued in its investigations related to Jeffrey Epstein.  Black’s complaint, which challenges the Committee’s authority to enforce its subpoenas through civil…

On September 3, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) voted to propose rescinding in its entirety Rule 206(4)-5 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the agency’s longstanding “pay-to-play rule” applicable to investment advisers. If finalized, the proposal would eliminate the most significant federal political law compliance regime for investment advisers and reverse a…

As widely reported, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress following his appearance before the Committee in July, where he refused to answer the Committee’s questions by asserting his rights under the Fifth Amendment.  At the same time, the procedure used by Chairman Rand…

In an August 2026 Unified Agenda entry, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) stated that it intends to complete its long-running effort to revise the regulations implementing the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”). The National Security Division (“NSD”) stated that it is considering a final rule that would adopt “many, but not all, of” the…

The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (“OLC”) has issued a new legal opinion that may offer the administration new tools to withhold from disclosure the President’s communications with certain private parties.  In an opinion published this week, OLC concluded that the presidential communications privilege shields from disclosure certain communications between the President and…

On August 6, 2026, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress.  The vote followed Dr. Fauci’s refusal to answer questions during a July 29, 2026, hearing regarding the federal government’s COVID-19 response.  The Committee referred the matter to the Department of…