The Lobbyist Connection • Christmas Week Special Edition
🎄 Week of Dec 22, 2025 — Congress Quiet, Deadlines Loud
Your weekly snapshot across Capitol Hill, the agencies, and the courts — with a festive policy twist.
Merry Christmas! Wishing you and your family a joyful, peaceful holiday week — and a smooth glide path into the New Year. ✨
Issue date: Dec 22, 2025 • Author: Jay C. Taylor
Top Lines
- Federal offices closed (midweek): The White House issued an executive order closing federal departments and agencies on Dec 24 and Dec 26. White House EO • OPM guidance
- Holiday recess reality: Congress is largely dark this week — with no committee meetings listed on Congress.gov’s committee schedule. Committee schedule
- Funding clock: The FY2026 continuing resolution (P.L. 119-37) keeps most agencies funded through Jan 30, 2026 — setting up a major January negotiation window. Congress.gov (H.R. 5371) • CRS overview
- Defense policy locked in: Congress wrapped up the FY2026 NDAA before leaving town (a big “must-pass” off the board for year-end). Reuters • Harvard OFR roundup
- Health care vote brewing: A discharge petition sets up a likely January House vote on extending enhanced ACA premium tax credits. AP • Member release
Want this in your inbox every Monday — plus bonus job drops and midweek alerts?
Subscribe (Free) 🎁
Legislation to Watch
January is “deadline season.” With lawmakers home for the holidays, the next real action clusters around the return — with a funding cliff on Jan 30.
- FY2026 funding finish-line (CR expires Jan 30): Watch the remaining appropriations packages and any policy riders that hitch a ride. Bill page • CRS breakdown
- ACA premium tax credits (January House vote expected): The discharge petition creates a real floor-path; Senate dynamics will be the hinge. AP summary • What’s next (TIME)
- Air traffic modernization funding: FAA says it will spend $6B by end of 2025 on telecom/radar upgrades and is seeking additional funding for a broader overhaul. Reuters
Regulatory Moves
- Federal closures (practical compliance): OPM released pay/leave administration guidance for the Dec 24 & Dec 26 closures. OPM memo
- EPA: oil & gas compliance deadlines extended: EPA finalized an extension of certain compliance deadlines tied to oil and gas air rules. EPA release
- EPA: biofuel blending mandates timing: EPA expects to finalize biofuel blending mandates (RFS) in Q1 2026, pushing the decision into next year. Reuters
- DOL overtime threshold (ongoing impact for employers): The “Restoring and Extending Overtime Protections” rule includes scheduled threshold updates; DOL also flags litigation carve-outs and applicability notes. DOL FAQs
- New York: emissions reporting rules finalized (state-level): NY is moving forward with greenhouse gas reporting rules for major emitters — a key foundation for broader climate policy. Times Union
Sponsor Spotlight
This week’s issue is sponsored by
NESSIT, LLC
A national award-winning, security-first IT managed services provider specializing in helping SMBs use technology to securely grow their business.
Legal Industry & Judiciary
- Labor/administrative law (Hill signal): The House voted to repeal a Trump executive order curtailing union rights across federal agencies — uphill path in the Senate, but watch for messaging and amendments. Washington Post
- Overtime rule in the courts: Litigation over federal overtime salary thresholds continues to shape compliance strategy for employers. Reuters background • DOL rule hub
- Ethics enforcement spotlight: A rare Hatch Act case aimed at a local official underscores scrutiny of political activity tied to public office. Washington Post
Supreme Court Watch
The Court’s opinions and orders remain the cleanest “signal” for where doctrine is moving. If you’re building a 2026 advocacy map, now is a good week to refresh your watchlist.
- Opinions (OT 2024 archive): Browse the latest posted slip opinions and decision list. SupremeCourt.gov — Opinions
- Orders list: Cert grants/denials and emergency applications often shape the next quarter’s advocacy calendar. SupremeCourt.gov — Orders
Statehouse Watch
- California (holiday compliance reminder): FPPC summarizes gift limits and lobbyist restrictions for 2025–2026 — useful for year-end events and receptions. FPPC “Lobbyist Rules” • Gift limit details
- New York (climate + compliance): Major-polluter emissions reporting rules were finalized — groundwork for future cap-and-invest design and enforcement debates. Times Union
- New York (lobbying transparency trendline): NY lobbying spending hit record highs (context for 2026 ethics/enforcement conversations). Times Union
Action Items
- Staffing & scheduling: Confirm coverage plans around Dec 24 and Dec 26 federal closures (and any agency-specific guidance). OPM memo
- Budget advocacy: Build a January “priority stack” for the appropriations sprint ahead of the Jan 30, 2026 CR expiration. CRS overview
- Health care stakeholders: Prep for a January vote path on ACA premium tax credits; consider district-level impacts and coalition letters. AP
- Compliance teams (CA): Holiday events ≠ gift-limit amnesty. Re-circulate the state lobbyist gift rules for 2025–2026. FPPC summary
Calendar & Deadlines
| Date | What to watch | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2025 | Federal agency closure (EO) | White House |
| Dec 26, 2025 | Federal agency closure (EO) | OPM |
| Jan 15, 2026 | ACA marketplace enrollment deadline (context for subsidy fight) | TIME |
| Jan 30, 2026 | CR expiration (funding deadline) | Congress.gov |
Careers & Openings (Federal & States)
Christmas-week hiring tip: Roles still posting this week often indicate a real need — move fast, tailor your 1-page cover note, and be ready to interview early January.
Capitol Hill (Official channels)
- Senate Employment Bulletin (live postings): careers.employment.senate.gov (recent listings included Legislative Correspondent + Environmental Legislative Aide as of Dec 18)
- Senate “Job Vacancies” hub: employment.senate.gov/job-vacancies
- House Employment (positions + bulletin info): House positions portal • House Resume Bank
Federal agencies (live postings)
- Legislative policy adviser (NORAD/USNORTHCOM) — GS-14 (closes Jan 7, 2026) — USAJOBS posting
- Supervisory Budget Policy Analyst (Judiciary liaison to appropriators) (closes Jan 5, 2026) — USAJOBS posting
- Policy Advisor (Treasury — AML/CFT) (closes Dec 24, 2025) — USAJOBS posting
- Public Affairs Specialist — GS-13 (USAF) (posted this week; short window) — USAJOBS posting
More job-hunting fuel
- USAJOBS search: “legislative affairs” • “intergovernmental affairs”
For Sale Now
Two Amazon picks from Jay C. Taylor — perfect for a holiday read (or a “New Year, new skills” refresh).
(See the Amazon listing pages for full descriptions and formats.)
-
Breaking In: The Federal Lobbyist Playbook —
View on Amazon
A quick, practical read designed to help motivated professionals sharpen their policy/advocacy edge.
-
When the Lanterns Rise: A Small-Town Christmas Romance —
View on Amazon
Clean, heartwarming, and perfect for fans of cozy small-town Christmas love stories.
Keep The Lobbyist Connection growing 🎄
Subscribe, share with a colleague, or refer someone who lives and breathes policy.
© 2025 The Lobbyist Connection • Christmas Week Special • Author: Jay C. Taylor
🎁 Merry Christmas — and here’s to a successful 2026 session. See you next week.