The Lobbyist Connection — Week of March 2, 2026
DHS shutdown watch • Iran / War Powers • sanctions & compliance • 5 open roles for GA pros.
The Lobbyist Connection
Week of March 2, 2026 • Built for government affairs pros, lobbyists, and Hill/committee staff
Shutdown Clock: DHS lapse • Day 17
Lapsed Feb 14, 2026
Top Lines
  • DHS shutdown is now producing visible service-level effects. TSA officers are seeing sharply reduced pay as the lapse drags; Global Entry processing and airport throughput pressures are rising. Reuters • DHS measures
  • CBP is using other funding to keep some personnel paid—creating uneven workforce dynamics across DHS. This matters for port operations, trade compliance timelines, and stakeholder messaging to appropriators. Federal News Network
  • Major U.S. military action in Iran is underway (Operation Epic Fury). CENTCOM says strikes targeted IRGC command-and-control, air defenses, and missile/drone infrastructure. CENTCOM launch • Pentagon posture (Reuters)
  • War Powers is the Hill’s immediate procedural fight. Kaine/Schumer/Schiff say they will force a Senate vote “in the coming days,” setting up floor time, amendments, and intense whip work. Kaine release • WSJ
  • Sanctions/compliance: Treasury expands Iran pressure (shadow fleet + procurement networks). Expect a fast-moving compliance cycle for energy/maritime, financial institutions, and exporters. Treasury/OFAC • OFAC Iran program hub
Client-ready framing: the week is about (1) operational harm from DHS lapse, (2) the authorization/limits debate for Iran, and (3) rapid sanctions & supply-chain exposure checks.
Fastest way to help a colleague this week: forward this to a Hill/agency contact who needs the DHS + Iran + War Powers picture in one place.
Legislation to Watch
1) DHS full-year funding / shutdown endgame. The practical hinge is workforce strain (TSA, Coast Guard, Secret Service, FEMA, CISA) versus policy riders tied to immigration enforcement. Build advocacy around measurable operational impact (airport wait times, travel program backlogs, disaster recovery delays, cybersecurity readiness). Roll Call • FEMA constraints (WaPo) • TSA testimony
2) War Powers Resolution (Iran) — “privileged” floor path. Sponsors are pushing an imminent Senate vote; House members are preparing parallel vehicles. For GA teams: map offices by committee (SFRC/SASC/HFAC/HASC, plus leadership), and prepare two drafts: (a) “support/limit” (authorization + scope + reporting) and (b) “oppose” (Commander-in-Chief + self-defense + objectives). Sponsor statement • War Powers Resolution (U.S. Code)
3) Secondary effects package: sanctions, export controls, and emergency authorities. Watch for fast-moving additions in sanctions designations, export enforcement, and federal procurement guidance that will affect: aerospace/defense suppliers, maritime, finance, and critical infrastructure. OFAC designations
Regulatory Moves
  • OFAC: expand screening now (don’t wait for “formal guidance”). If your clients touch shipping/insurance, fuel trading, intermediaries, or dual-use equipment, run a “counterparty + vessel + beneficial owner” refresh and issue an internal bulletin. Treasury/OFAC release
  • DHS shutdown: expect asymmetric operations by component. CBP may keep more staff paid while other components face delayed pay and constrained activity—plan for unpredictable service levels (air travel, ports, disaster support, cyber support). CBP funding move • DHS measures
  • CISA timelines may slip (incident reporting + cyber support posture). If you’re working critical infrastructure or cyber clients, incorporate shutdown-driven schedule risk into advocacy. Federal News Network
Reg note: in a kinetic + shutdown environment, agencies default to “risk reduction” decisions—expect slower discretionary services and faster enforcement signaling.
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Legal Industry & Judiciary
  • War powers litigation chatter will rise—but the Hill fight is the near-term constraint. Expect rapid requests for classified briefings, “scope/objectives” clarity, and demands for authorization language. Baseline the statute here: 50 U.S.C. Ch. 33
  • DHS shutdown oversight is intensifying. Expect hearing posture on TSA attrition, FEMA travel constraints, and CISA capacity—use component-specific impacts for member-level messaging. TSA testimony • FEMA travel
  • Supreme Court Watch: calendars + audio hub for March arguments. Argument calendars • Today at the Court
Statehouse Watch
Shutdown spillover hits states via disaster recovery and security planning. FEMA travel restrictions and delayed federal coordination shift work to states/localities—especially in winter weather response and major event security planning. WaPo • DHS operational measures
Action Items (for GA teams)
  1. War Powers whip map (48 hours): sort targets into (a) authorization-first, (b) limit/sunset, (c) back briefing/“wait for facts,” (d) oppose on executive authority. Build a one-page “questions for briefers” list: objectives, definition of success, escalation triggers, allied basing, cyber posture, and duration assumptions.
  2. DHS shutdown impact memo: quantify district/state impacts (airport operations, Coast Guard port security, FEMA recovery, CISA cyber support, Secret Service staffing). Make it operational: “what will fail first, and what does it cost?”
  3. Sanctions refresh & client alert: update restricted-party screening and contract clauses (termination/force majeure/compliance reps). For maritime/energy: add “vessel + insurer + flag + operator” checks to your workflow.
  4. Committee coordination: prioritize SFRC/SASC/HFAC/HASC staff touchpoints and appropriations staff for DHS impacts; align language across chambers to avoid mixed signals.
Calendar & Deadlines
  • This week: Senate floor action expected on Iran War Powers (“in the coming days”). Source
  • Hearing intel hubs: House committees • Senate committees (Use these to track briefings tied to Iran operations, DHS funding, and oversight.)
Careers & Openings (5)
  • Manager, Health, Government Affairs & Public Policy — Google (Washington, DC)
    Senior-level health policy advocacy role; heavy Hill/agency engagement. Posting
  • Director of Government Affairs — Cato Institute (Washington, DC)
    Federal policy engagement with strong legislative relationships; tech/legal policy emphasis. Posting
  • Director, Government Relations (Remote-eligible; Washington, DC)
    High-intensity federal advocacy role; includes salary range disclosure. Posting
  • Government Relations & Regulatory Policy Counsel — AMRPA (Washington, DC)
    Healthcare regulatory + federal policy agenda leadership for an industry association. Posting
  • Assistant Director, Congressional Relations — ASTRO (Arlington, VA)
    Congressional engagement role supporting a major medical society’s advocacy strategy. Posting
For Sale on Amazon
Breaking In: The Federal Lobbyist Playbook — Who it’s for: new graduates, Hill or agency staff planning their next move, corporate/association professionals, and independents ready to go solo. Amazon
Greenland at the Crossroads (2026 outlook) Amazon
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© 2026 The Lobbyist Connection • Author: Jay C. Taylor

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