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The Lobbyist Connection
Washington Brief — Week of February 9, 2026
Legislative • Regulatory • Judicial • White House • Careers
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Jay C. Taylor
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Funding Clock
DHS Deadline: Feb 13
T-4 days (from Feb 9) • Watch: immigration riders + oversight
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Top Lines
The week’s fastest-moving items, with the “why it matters” baked in.
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Appropriations are “mostly done” — but DHS is the cliff.
ICE tactics are now a Hill flashpoint tied to funding terms.
The controversy around masked federal immigration officers has escalated into a congressional pressure point, with transparency and accountability proposals circulating alongside DHS funding talks.
AP background.
House floor is stacked with a “citizenship + elections” package.
Senate opens with nominations and a defense appropriations vehicle on the calendar.
The published plan includes a cloture vote on Daniel E. Burrows (AAG), and the calendar lists a motion to proceed to a Defense appropriations measure.
Senate schedule •
Senate Calendar (Feb 9).
White House: trade frameworks + national security actions land mid-week.
New releases include a U.S.–India framework update and a U.S.–Bangladesh reciprocal trade framework.
U.S.–India •
U.S.–Bangladesh.
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White House Watch
Priorities, actions, and signals that move agencies — and Congress.
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America First Arms Transfer Strategy (EO + deadlines)
Public safety EO: criminal history data access/sharing
Iran EO: tariff authorities + interagency process
Trade: U.S.–India interim framework
Trade: U.S.–Bangladesh reciprocal framework
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Legislative Watch
What’s moving, what’s scheduled, and where advocates can still shape outcomes.
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DHS funding negotiations: the week’s “must-solve”
H.R. 7148 sets the baseline; DHS runs to Feb 13.
Suspension items: Indo-Pacific + financial stability
Undersea cable protection
Senate: cloture vote + defense appropriations posture
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Regulatory Watch
The near-term rulemaking and directives most likely to hit your clients’ desks.
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CISA: Binding Operational Directive 26-02
CIRCIA: reporting implementation track
EPA: Endangerment Finding reconsideration at OIRA
EPA: proposed repeal of AW68 NESHAP
FTC: Negative Option Rule at OIRA
OIRA meetings: stakeholder access tracker
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Judicial Watch
The court calendar and docket moves that reshape policy terrain.
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SCOTUS: February argument calendar
Havana Docks v. Carnival (maritime/foreign affairs)
Exxon Mobil v. Hawaii (climate litigation / jurisdiction)
Enbridge Energy v. Michigan (energy / state-federal authority)
D.C. Circuit: EO litigation procedural fight
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Sponsor Spotlight
This week’s sponsor keeps teams secure, compliant, and productive.
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Nessit — New England Managed IT & Security
Cybersecurity hardening, managed IT, and compliance-forward operations for organizations that can’t afford downtime.
Visit Nessit
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Careers & Openings (Washington, DC Area)
8 curated roles aligned to lobbying, government affairs, policy, and public affairs.
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Saab — Government Affairs Manager (Washington, DC) —
Posting
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) — Manager, Government Relations (Washington, DC) —
Posting
Phoenix Tailings — Government Affairs Manager (Washington, DC) —
Posting
GRAIL — Director, Government Affairs (Washington, DC) —
Posting
Stand Together / AFP — Deputy Director, State Government Affairs (Washington, DC) —
Posting
AMRPA (Association) — Government Relations & Policy Counsel (Washington, DC) —
Posting
Meta — Public Policy Associate (State & Local) (Washington, DC) —
Posting
U.S. Department of State (USAJOBS) — Passport Program Specialist (Intergov/Leg Affairs lane) —
Posting
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