Search Results for keywords:"Executive Orders"

The State Department has designated a group known as Ansarallah, also called Ansar Allah or Partisans of God, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This decision is based on their involvement or risk of involvement in terrorist activities that threaten U.S. national security and foreign policy. The order prevents any advance notice to the individuals affected, as this could undermine the government's ability to effectively block their assets. Michael R. Pompeo, who was the Secretary of State at the time, signed the order on January 12, 2021.

The U.S. State Department has officially designated Yahya al-Sayyid Ibrahim Musa and Alaa Ali Ali Mohammed Al-Samahi as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This decision was made under the authority of several Executive Orders aimed at targeting individuals associated with terrorism. Both individuals are recognized as leaders of Harakat Sawa'd Misr, a group whose assets have been previously blocked by the Secretary of State. The designation means their assets in the United States are frozen, but no prior notice of this action was given to them, as it was determined that such a notice could compromise the effectiveness of the restrictions.

The President has decided to continue the national emergency with respect to Somalia, which was first declared on April 12, 2010, due to security threats and violence in the region. This decision comes in response to ongoing challenges like piracy, violence, and violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions. The emergency will remain in effect for another year beyond April 12, 2025, to address these persistent threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has issued a final rule to adjust the maximum civil monetary penalties for specific violations to account for inflation, in compliance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. Effective January 13, 2025, these adjustments apply to penalties under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act and Restrictions on Lobbying. The penalties are calculated based on a specific Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) multiplier. This rule ensures that the penalties remain effective deterrents without any need for public comment, as established by the requirements of the 2015 Act.

The General Services Administration (GSA) plans to issue a final rule that will partly undo updates made to the Federal Management Regulation concerning diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This move follows two Executive Orders from January 2025, which direct federal agencies to revert changes made by the previous administration. The update will involve changing non-gendered language to gendered language and removing certain diversity-related language. The planned rescission will affect specific parts of the regulation as detailed by the GSA.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has announced plans to finalize the cancellation of the Federal Management Regulation Case 2021-02, known as "Art in Architecture," originally issued on February 2, 2022. This action is part of the implementation of recent executive orders aimed at removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) language and programs from government operations. The GSA will update the Art in Architecture program to exclude DEI language, preferential treatments, and related data collections. The document provides contact information for further inquiries and can be accessed online for review.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking public comments on proposed changes to its Form 1919, which is used by applicants of SBA's 7(a) Loan Programs. These changes are in response to new administration priorities, executive orders, and program updates. Important updates include the requirement for applicants to provide information about franchise agreements and Beneficial Owners, such as citizenship status and Lawful Permanent Resident details. The SBA aims to enhance clarity and ensure compliance with updated regulations. Additionally, the SBA is looking for feedback on how to improve and simplify the information collection process.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has added several individuals and vessels to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List). This means the property and financial interests of these individuals, under U.S. jurisdiction, are blocked, and U.S. persons cannot conduct transactions with them. The listed vessels are linked to companies whose assets are blocked due to various executive orders. OFAC also updated information for a vessel already on the SDN List.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to withdraw its previous decision to classify portable electric spas (PESs) as covered consumer products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). This means PESs would not be subject to federal energy conservation standards. DOE determined that classifying PESs is not necessary or appropriate to conserve energy effectively. The agency invites public comments on this decision by May 19, 2025, via their submission portal or other specified methods.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a 60-day notice seeking public comments on a new information collection initiative called the Supply Chain Risk Management Questionnaire. This is part of HUD's effort to evaluate and enhance its supply chain risk management practices for current and future vendors. The information collection aligns with several executive orders and federal guidelines focused on cybersecurity and supply chain security. HUD is inviting feedback on the necessity, impact, and potential improvements to the proposed information collection.