The Lobbyist Connection • Week of January 12, 2026
Budget Showdown, Venezuela War Powers, and Iran’s Escalating Moment
Happy New Year — wishing you and yours a healthy, prosperous 2026.
By Jay C. Taylor
Top Lines
- Iran: The White House is weighing “very strong options” amid Iran’s crackdown and signals (via intermediaries) that talks may be possible. Reuters (Jan. 12)
- Executive branch pressure: Treasury/OFAC sanctioned targets tied to Iran’s ballistic missile program (including Iranian defense-linked actors and a China-based network). Treasury press release
- Budget sprint: Congress has a four-week dash to avoid another shutdown before funding expires on Jan. 30. Washington Post (Jan. 6)
- Appropriations progress: House passed a bipartisan three-bill funding package (Interior/Environment, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy & Water). AP (Jan. 8) • House Appropriations release
- Venezuela War Powers back in play: Senate action continues on efforts to limit further hostilities without explicit authorization. S.J.Res. 90 (Congress.gov)
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Legislation to Watch
Iran: sanctions architecture + war powers boundaries
- H.R. 1800 — Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 (would eliminate the sunset clause and make ISA permanent)
- H.R. 2012 — Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2025 (congressional review framework for sanctions relief)
- H.R. 1422 — Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025
- H.Res. 554 (supports prior executive action targeting Iran’s nuclear program)
Venezuela: War Powers + continued scrutiny
- S.J.Res. 90 text (directs removal of U.S. forces from hostilities not authorized by Congress)
- Senate advanced a war powers measure after Maduro’s capture and the risk of a longer campaign. ABC News
Budget showdown: what to watch
- Deadline: Current funding runs through Jan. 30; expect minibuses + rider fights. CRFB tracker
- Official appropriations status (by bill) lives here: Congress.gov status table
Regulatory Moves
- OFAC (Iran): New sanctions tied to Iran’s ballistic missile program. Treasury/OFAC
- OFAC (Iran “shadow fleet”): Treasury increased pressure on sanctions-evasion shipping networks late December. Treasury (Dec. 18)
- OFAC program hub: Guidance + advisories for Iran sanctions compliance. OFAC Iran Sanctions page
- Iran–Venezuela nexus: Treasury targeted Iran–Venezuela weapons/UAV trade facilitators. Treasury (Dec. 30)
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Legal Industry & Judiciary
- Venezuela legal fallout: International-law questions intensify after Maduro’s capture. Reuters (Jan. 4)
- Supreme Court watch: The Court is set to issue rulings on Jan. 14 amid high-profile disputes (including tariffs). Reuters (Jan. 9)
Supreme Court Watch
This week at the Court (session begins Jan. 12)
- Official “Today at the Court” (live audio + order list): SupremeCourt.gov
- Monthly argument calendar (Session beginning Jan. 12, 2026): PDF
- SCOTUSblog “today” hub: SCOTUStoday (Jan. 12)
Statehouse Watch
Many legislatures are ramping up for early-session committee organization, rule-setting, and priority bill drops. If you want, tell me your target states and issue areas and I’ll add a tailored “States to Watch” tracker.
Action Items
- Budget clients: Map program-by-program exposure to a Jan. 30 CR extension vs. minibuses (and identify “rider risk”). Use: Appropriations status.
- Iran exposure: Re-check supply-chain and counterparties for export-control and sanctions risk; circulate the latest OFAC action internally. OFAC update.
- Venezuela war powers: If your stakeholders have LatAm energy exposure, prep a one-pager on potential congressional constraints. S.J.Res. 90.
Calendar & Deadlines
- Jan. 12: Supreme Court January session begins (order list + argument). SupremeCourt.gov
- Jan. 14: Supreme Court opinion day (rulings expected). SCOTUSblog calendar
- Jan. 30: Government funding deadline — shutdown avoidance becomes the week’s main event. Appropriations watch
Careers & Openings (Federal & States)
- LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COORDINATOR (GS-14) — Department of the Navy (Pentagon, Arlington, VA). Open through Jan. 15. USAJOBS posting
- Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (GS-15) — Pentagon (Arlington, VA). Open through Jan. 13. USAJOBS posting
- Public Affairs Specialist (GS-9) — South Burlington, VT. Open through Jan. 12. USAJOBS posting
- Assistant Director for Policy — Communications & Legislative Affairs focus. Open through Jan. 12. USAJOBS posting
- Federal Government Affairs Manager — bp (Washington, DC). Posted Jan. 7. Public Affairs Council posting
- Government Affairs Assistant — Boston, MA. Posted Jan. 6. Daybook posting
BREAKING IN
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© 2026 • The Lobbyist Connection • Compiled by Jay C. Taylor