Category: Policy

GovernmentPolicy

** Government Shutdown Crisis Deepens as Mike Johnson Sees No Endgame in Sight

** The government shutdown enters its 13th day with House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledging no resolution in sight. Federal workers face mass layoffs while healthcare subsidies for millions of Americans hang in the balance. The stalemate continues to impact museums, airports, and government operations nationwide. **CONTENT:**

House Speaker Mike Johnson admitted he sees no endgame in sight for the ongoing government shutdown now entering its 13th day, creating widespread disruptions across federal operations and putting thousands of jobs at risk. Standing alone at the Capitol, the Louisiana Republican appeared unaware of details surrounding the thousands of federal workers being fired by the Trump administration in what critics call a strategic move to reduce government scope during the crisis. according to recent analysis of the unprecedented layoffs.

by Megan Carter
Assistive TechnologyPolicy

California Age-Gate Law Transforms App Store Safety Standards

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 1043 into law, establishing age-gating requirements for app stores and operating systems. The legislation creates four age categories for users without requiring parental consent or photo ID uploads. These changes represent California’s latest move in digital safety regulation.

California has enacted groundbreaking age-gate legislation that will fundamentally change how app stores and operating systems handle minor users. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1043 into law alongside several other internet safety bills, positioning California at the forefront of digital protection for children and teens. The new requirements represent a more privacy-conscious approach to age verification compared to laws in other states, receiving unanimous legislative support and backing from major technology companies.

How California’s App Store Age Verification Works

by Megan Carter
International Business and TradePolicy

China Rare Earth Restrictions Threaten U.S. Defense Industry and Trade Relations

China’s new restrictions on rare earth exports for military use threaten critical U.S. defense systems including F-35 jets and submarines. With China controlling over 90% of global rare earth refining, the move gives Beijing significant leverage in trade negotiations.

China’s sweeping restrictions on rare earth exports specifically targeting foreign military applications represent a significant escalation in trade tensions that could severely impact U.S. defense capabilities and potentially reignite a broader trade war between the world’s two largest economies. The October 9 announcement from China’s Ministry of Commerce marks the first time Beijing has explicitly prohibited rare earth exports for defense purposes, creating immediate vulnerabilities for American weapons systems that depend on these critical materials.

How Rare Earth Restrictions Threaten U.S. Defense Systems

by Tyler Brooks P.E