Insights on Government Relations

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) does not intend to take enforcement action against certain 503A compounders preparing six popular peptides, provided they meet 10 conditions.

Government Relations Practice Co-Chair and former US Senator, Byron Dorgan, was quoted in a recent article discussing how Democrats may pursue clean energy policies and seek to lower energy costs after gaining majorities in US Congress, while President Trump retains veto power.

In the runup to and aftermath of highly contested midterm elections, partisan divisions seem deeper than ever.

Government Relations Co-Chair Phil English was quoted in a recent article discussing the prospects for congressional efforts to rein in executive tariff actions next year.

The DC Council recently held a public hearing on a range of revenue raising proposals under consideration to address the District’s anticipated 2027 budget challenges.

One of the FBA’s longstanding Public Policy Core Principles affirms “the importance of the independence of the judiciary, recognizing that judicial decisions are not immune from scrutiny, but are to be made solely on the basis of the law.” Judicial independence in decision-making is essential. But independence does not mean isolation. In practical terms, the judicial branch depends on the legislative and executive branches in several important respects.

The DC Council officially returned from its summer recess on September 16 after a break that began on July 15.

The unique practice of Partner and International Group Co-Chair David Tafuri was profiled in the September/October 2026 issue of the DC Bar Association’s Washington Lawyer magazine:

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that 125 attorneys have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America 2027, with two attorneys highlighted as “Lawyers of the Year” and 36 attorneys listed as “Ones to Watch.”

On July 7, the DC Council passed the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act (BSA) of 2026, the annual legislative vehicle through which the Council enacts the legal and policy changes required to carry out the District’s budget.

Four years ago, the FBA celebrated the introduction of legislation to advance one of the association’s longstanding policy priorities: the establishment of independent immigration courts. In February 2022, Rep. Zoe Lofgren introduced the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act, which drew upon Congress’ constitutional power to ordain and establish “inferior” tribunals from time to time. Specifically, the legislation would have moved immigration courts outside of the Department of Justice (DOJ), where they currently are housed.

On June 23, 2026, ArentFox Schiff hosted the HGPII Annual Best Practices Forum, an annual ethics and best business practices training session. The annual forum brings together executives from Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) across the country, providing a dynamic platform for evaluating best practices and exploring the latest innovations in health care supply chain management.

On June 16, the District of Columbia held its primary election — the first conducted under the District’s new ranked-choice voting (RCV) system.

Partner David P. Grosso, former DC Councilor and Education Committee chair, was quoted on public sentiment regarding the past 20 years of education reform in the District amid reported gains in the past year.

The 2027 DC budget would deliver significant new funding, programs, and policy changes to rental housing across the District of Columbia, affecting all parties involved, like tenants, landlords, and developers.

The 2027 DC budget proposes substantial investments in health care access, behavioral health services, and public health infrastructure across the District of Columbia. Nearly four in 10 DC residents depend on Medicaid, the Basic Health Plan, or the locally funded Alliance program for coverage.

The 2027 DC budget would make sweeping investments in education across the District of Columbia, from pre-kindergarten through higher education and adult literacy. The budget supports nearly 100,000 public and public charter school students, increases per-student funding, restores critical childcare programs at risk of deep cuts, and expands career and technical education.

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that 68 attorneys were recognized as leaders in their field and 25 practices spanning the firm’s litigation, regulatory, and transactional capabilities, as well as key industries, were ranked among the best in the country in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

On May 29, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and over 40 federal agencies jointly issued a proposed rule that would significantly change the government-wide framework for grants and cooperative agreements and clarify that what is currently called “guidance” will, as amended, be a binding regulation.

One week after the US House of Representatives passed a Farm Bill that expressly integrates food security into national security, Congressman John Moolenaar, Chairman of the Select Committee on China, and 13 bipartisan cosponsors introduced a standalone bill that would take significant additional steps aimed at safeguarding US national security and food security.

With the release of the DC Board of Elections’ (DCBOE) official ballot for the 2026 District party primaries on June 16, the field is now set for one of the District’s most consequential local elections in the 50 years since Home Rule.

On March 26, President Trump signed a new executive order (EO) imposing mandatory anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) clauses in all federal contracts and subcontracts, with key compliance deadlines beginning as early as April 25.

As many FBA members know by now, the FBA realized a significant and longstanding objective in December of 2025 with the enactment of the Foundation
of the Federal Bar Charter Amendments Act.

ArentFox Schiff, in collaboration with Consilio, will host the 2026 Chicago Pharma Forum on May 6, 2026, bringing together pharmaceutical industry leaders and in‑house counsel in the Chicago area for a full day of discussion and networking.

This alert summarizes recent developments regarding the District of Columbia’s attempt to decouple its local tax laws from the federal One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (Public Law 119-21), the congressional response disapproving of the District’s action, and the ongoing legal dispute between District officials over how to administer the 2025 and 2026 tax filing seasons.