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The Lobbyist Connection
Weekly Policy Brief
Week of February 23, 2026 • Curated for federal & state government affairs pros
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Shutdown Clock
DHS Shutdown: Day 10
Started: Feb 14, 2026
Watch: pay impacts + travel programs
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Top Lines
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DHS shutdown is now the focal point: TSA PreCheck remains operational after a weekend reversal, while Global Entry processing is paused as DHS implements “emergency measures.”
Reuters
· DHS
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Congress is back as storms hit: snow delays and travel disruptions are colliding with the shutdown fight and this week’s floor/committee calendar.
Roll Call
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Mexico crisis: CJNG leader “El Mencho” reported killed in a military operation, triggering violent retaliation across multiple states; the U.S. Mission issued a wide “shelter in place” security alert covering major destinations.
AP
· U.S. Mission Mexico
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Iran: U.S.–Iran nuclear talks resume Thursday in Geneva (Oman mediating) as both sides signal a push for a broader deal (no “interim” patch).
Reuters
· AP
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Tariffs + SCOTUS: Supreme Court invalidated IEEPA tariffs; CBP says it will stop collecting the struck duties at 12:01 a.m. ET Tuesday as the White House pivots to a temporary import surcharge under a different authority.
Opinion (PDF)
· White House
· Reuters
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SAVE Act is back in the spotlight: H.R. 22 (SAVE Act) has passed the House and remains with the Senate; the White House is actively pressing for passage as election administration groups warn of implementation shocks.
Congress.gov
· White House hub
· NCSL
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Legislation to Watch
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DHS full-year funding + “ICE reform” rider package: negotiations expected to restart this week as pay impacts and service pauses mount.
NOTUS
· Reuters background
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SAVE Act (H.R. 22) / companion (S. 128): proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal voter registration remain the center of election-law lobbying this cycle.
H.R.22
· S.128
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Trade authority flashpoint: Section 122 import surcharge clock starts—expect industry pressure for exemptions, congressional extension mechanics, and potential litigation sequencing.
Fact Sheet
· Proclamation
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Critical minerals & defense-industrial base: Senate Armed Services tees up a supply-chain hearing—watch for procurement, permitting, and allied sourcing provisions that could move quickly in NDAA vehicles.
Senate Hearings
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Fentanyl + transnational criminal org tools: with cartel violence spiking, expect renewed pushes on sanctions, financial interdiction, and cross-border task force authorities.
Treasury (recent Iran designations example)
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Regulatory Moves
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DHS “emergency measures” during shutdown: changes to Trusted Traveler programs and non-disaster FEMA activities.
DHS
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CBP tariff implementation guidance: IEEPA tariff codes being deactivated following SCOTUS; trade community guidance expected via CBP messaging.
Reuters
· Opinion (PDF)
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EPA climate authority rollback litigation begins: lawsuits filed after the rescission of the 2009 Endangerment Finding; the Federal Register effective date is set out in the rule.
Federal Register
· AP
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Mercury & Air Toxics Standards (MATS): EPA signals rollback of coal-plant mercury/air toxics limits—expect fast-moving comments + court timelines.
Reuters
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CFIUS “Known Investor Program” input: Treasury seeking comments on KIP framework and streamlining foreign investment review.
Treasury
· Federal Register
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Sponsor Spotlight
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Weekly Sponsor
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Legal Industry & Judiciary
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Climate regulation litigation wave: challenges filed over EPA’s Endangerment Finding rescission; watch D.C. Circuit briefing schedules and early stays.
AP
· Rule
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Trade litigation pipeline: after SCOTUS invalidates IEEPA tariffs, focus shifts to refunds/claims process and replacement tariff authority.
Opinion (PDF)
· Penn Wharton brief
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Federal workforce accountability rule: OPM finalizes “Schedule Policy/Career” framework—expect agency implementation guidance and Hill oversight.
OPM
· Federal Register
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Supreme Court Watch
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Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (Feb. 20, 2026): Court holds IEEPA does not authorize tariffs; immediate policy ripple across revenue, trade negotiations, and refund strategy.
Opinion (PDF)
· SCOTUSblog analysis
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Arizona proof-of-citizenship case: petitioners ask SCOTUS to weigh in on voting restrictions—potential downstream impact on how SAVE-style requirements are litigated.
Democracy Docket
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Tariff refunds + compliance next steps: importer strategy now turns to administrative claims and court lanes as replacement tariff authority is deployed.
Goodwin alert
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Statehouse Watch
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New Hampshire: trial underway over NH’s strict proof-of-citizenship voter law—watch for rulings that shape 2026 election administration.
NHPR
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Connecticut: bill would bar ICE agents within 250 feet of polling places (voter intimidation concerns vs. federal preemption debate).
CT Insider
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Arizona: petition asks SCOTUS to revisit proof-of-citizenship restrictions—potentially synchronizing with federal SAVE litigation posture.
AZFamily
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Federal-to-state spillover: NCSL breaks down likely impacts on state voter registration systems if SAVE moves (IT modernization, IDs, and verification workflows).
NCSL
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Action Items
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DHS stakeholders: build a short “service impact” memo (travel programs, FEMA, TSA pay timing, grants) and circulate it ahead of this week’s negotiations.
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Mexico exposure: update duty-of-care guidance for teams traveling to impacted states; monitor the U.S. Mission Mexico alerts for location expansions.
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Trade shops: inventory entries subject to the now-invalidated IEEPA tariffs; map potential refund/claim steps and track CBP guidance updates.
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Election-law + compliance: if SAVE advances, pressure-test your org’s registration/outreach assumptions in states with same-day registration or limited ID penetration.
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Calendar & Deadlines
Mon (Feb 23): House returns — Weekly floor schedule (suspension items listed).
House Majority Leader
Tue (Feb 24): State of the Union (Joint Session).
C-SPAN
Tue (Feb 24): Senate committee hearing list (incl. Armed Services on critical minerals; Budget on “sanctuary cities”).
Senate Hearings & Meetings
Tue (Feb 24): House Appropriations hearing: National Endowment for Democracy oversight.
House Approp.
Tue (Feb 24): House Homeland Security hearing: information sharing & security ahead of major events.
HLS Committee
Thu (Feb 26): U.S.–Iran talks in Geneva (Oman mediation).
Reuters
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Careers & Openings (Federal & States)
Featured openings
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Congressional Relations Specialist (Washington, DC) — senior external affairs interface; telework eligible.
USAJOBS
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Congressional Affairs Officer (Pentagon-area / DC) — liaison with House/Senate staff and DoD legislative affairs.
USAJOBS
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Senior Government Affairs Specialist (Treasury / U.S. Mint) — government affairs strategy & stakeholder engagement.
USAJOBS (Treasury)
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Legislative Correspondent (Domestic Policy) — Senator office (DC) — labor/government affairs/judiciary portfolio.
Senate Employment Bulletin
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Federal Relations Manager — King County (WA) — federal strategy and intergovernmental coordination (closing Mar 2).
GovernmentJobs
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Legislative Liaison Manager — NJ Judiciary (Trenton, hybrid) — governmental services & legislative liaison (closing Mar 6).
GovernmentJobs
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Breaking In: The Federal Lobbyist Playbook
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Greenland at the Crossroads (2026 outlook)
A policy-focused briefing on Arctic geopolitics, critical minerals, and U.S./China/Russia/Denmark strategic interests.
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