June 30

VA must clear its PACT Act claims backlog and open new facilities to serve 739,000 new enrollees

The VA must complete processing the backlog of PACT Act retroactive claims filed before 2026 by June 30, 2027. The VA was authorized to open additional community care sites and medical facilities to handle the PACT Act enrollment surge — 739,000+ new enrollees since 2022. The VA's annual budget impact from PACT Act obligations exceeds $20B by 2027.

IRA tax credits for home energy efficiency upgrades and alternative fuel refueling property expire

Inflation Reduction Act credits for residential clean energy improvements — including the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C) for insulation, windows, heat pumps, and electrical panels — expire on June 30, 2026. The alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit (Section 30C), which applies to home EV chargers and hydrogen refueling equipment, expires the same day. Homeowners can claim up to $3,200 per year under 25C. Congress did not include extensions for these credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The OBBBA also accelerated the expiration of commercial clean energy credits to end of 2027. Millions of homeowners planning energy upgrades lose federal incentives for improvements not completed before the deadline.

Election deadline: Colorado Primary Election 2026

Voting for Colorado Primary Election 2026 occurs on this date. Offices on ballot: U.S. Senate; U.S. House (8 seats); Governor; State Legislature. See the linked election record for registration, early voting, and mail ballot deadlines.

EV charging and energy-efficient building credits expire

EV charging station credit (30C, up to $1,000 for homes/businesses) expires. Commercial building energy efficiency upgrades (179D) and Energy Star home construction credits (45L) also expire — the latter supported ~350,000 new efficient homes in 2024.

Supreme Court expected to rule in Watson v. RNC by end of term

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision in Watson v. Republican National Committee before the end of the Court's 2025-2026 term on June 30, 2026. Election officials nationwide await the ruling, which will determine whether the 1872 federal Election Day statute preempts state mail ballot grace periods. A ruling against grace periods would force emergency legislative action in 14 states and D.C. and could affect millions of mail ballots cast in the 2026 midterm elections. The case represents a watershed moment in federal election administration and the balance between state flexibility and uniform national voting standards.

AI Safety Alliance launches six-figure lobbying campaign in Washington

The AI Safety Alliance, a coalition of technology companies and researchers, launched a six-figure lobbying campaign in Washington on June 30, 2025, aimed at shaping federal AI regulation as Congress debated the One Big Beautiful Bill AI provisions. The alliance targeted both the Senate moratorium on state AI laws and separate federal AI safety standards legislation. The campaign represented a major escalation of tech industry influence over AI governance.

American Bitcoin raises $220 million to buy bitcoin and mining equipment

On June 30, 2025, American Bitcoin raised $220 million through new share sales to buy bitcoin and digital asset mining equipment. Bloomberg reported that about $10 million of the equity was sold for bitcoin instead of dollars.

White House Fires 17 Inspectors General in Violation of Oversight Law

The Trump administration dismissed 17 federal inspectors general on June 30, 2025, in defiance of the Inspector General Act, which requires 30 days advance notice to Congress before firing an IG. The firings targeted oversight officials at agencies including the Pentagon, State Department, and HHS. Congressional Democrats and some Republicans condemned the action as illegal destruction of the federal oversight system.

Senate Republicans Test Budget Committee Authority in Reconciliation Fight

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham clashed with parliamentarians over whether the Budget Act allowed him to unilaterally set reconciliation parameters without a full committee vote. Graham argued the chairman held independent authority to certify spending numbers, while Democrats and several nonpartisan experts said the move violated Senate rules. The dispute revealed tensions within Republican ranks over the fiscal path of the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Republicans Ask Supreme Court to End Final Campaign Finance Limits

Republican Party officials and conservative advocacy groups petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the remaining limits on coordinated spending between political parties and their candidates, arguing the caps violate the First Amendment. The petition targeted the Federal Election Commission rules that cap how much parties can spend in direct coordination with candidates. If granted, the ruling would eliminate the last major barrier to unlimited coordinated political spending.

Supreme Court blocks Biden $10k-$20k student loan cancellation in Biden v. Nebraska

The U.S. Supreme Court issues a 6-3 decision in Biden v. Nebraska, striking down President Joe Biden's proposed student loan forgiveness program that would have cancelled up to $10,000 in loans for borrowers with incomes under $125,000 and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. The Court holds that the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003 does not grant the Secretary of Education authority to cancel $430 billion in federal student loan debt. Chief Justice John Roberts writes that the HEROES Act allows only narrow 'waivers or modifications' to existing provisions, not the creation of an entirely new forgiveness program. Justices Kagan, Sotomayor, and Jackson dissent, arguing the Secretary had sufficient statutory authority.

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Supreme Court blocks Biden student loan forgiveness program in 6-3 decision

The Supreme Court blocks President Biden's student loan forgiveness program in a 6-3 decision in Biden v. Nebraska, ruling that the administration exceeded its authority under the HEROES Act of 2003. The program would have canceled up to $20,000 in federal student debt for borrowers earning less than $125,000 annually, affecting approximately 43 million borrowers with total debt relief of $430 billion. Chief Justice John Roberts writes the majority opinion, joined by the Court's conservative justices. The decision is a notable setback for Biden's economic policy and leaves millions of borrowers awaiting loan repayment resumption.

SCOTUS strikes down Biden $400 billion student loan forgiveness program 6-3

The Supreme Court rules 6-3 in Biden v. Nebraska that the Biden administration exceeded its authority in canceling up to $10,000-$20,000 in federal student loan debt for approximately 40 million borrowers. Chief Justice John Roberts writes for the majority, invoking the "major questions doctrine", the principle that agencies cannot take actions of vast economic and political significance without clear congressional authorization. The ruling deploys the doctrine that the administration had already faced in the OSHA vaccine mandate case. Justice Elena Kagan, joined by Sotomayor and Jackson, dissents sharply, writing that the majority "anoints itself the decision-maker on climate change, student loans, and evictions policy." Biden calls the decision "wrong" and pledges alternative routes to relief.

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Supreme Court Limits EPA Climate Authority in West Virginia v. EPA

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in West Virginia v. EPA that the agency lacked authority under the Clean Air Act to force generation shifting from coal to cleaner sources at the grid level. Chief Justice John Roberts'' majority opinion formalized the major questions doctrine, requiring clear congressional authorization for any agency action of vast economic or political significance. Justice Elena Kagan dissented for Breyer and Sotomayor, calling the Court'self-appointed the decision-maker on climate policy.

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SCOTUS West Virginia v. EPA ruling limits EPA power to regulate carbon from existing power plants

The Supreme Court rules 6-3 in West Virginia v. EPA that the agency cannot use the Clean Power Plan approach of shifting energy generation from coal to natural gas and renewables as a method to reduce carbon emissions from the electricity sector. Chief Justice Roberts writes that such a transformative "generation shifting" policy requires explicit congressional authorization under the major questions doctrine. The ruling does not prohibit the EPA from setting carbon emission limits at individual plants, the approach the Biden EPA adopts in its 2024 power plant rules. Justice Kagan's dissent warns the ruling strips the EPA of its tools to fight climate change, stating "The subject matter of the regulation here makes the majority's errors all the more consequential."

Supreme Court lets Biden end Remain in Mexico policy

The Supreme Court rules in Biden v. Texas on June 30, 2022, that the Biden administration may end the Migrant Protection Protocols, known as Remain in Mexico. The policy had forced many asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their U.S. cases proceeded. Chief Justice John Roberts writes that federal immigration law does not require the government to continue the program. The decision gives the administration more discretion over border enforcement and asylum processing. The ruling affects asylum access for migrants who are often racialized in U.S. politics and who face danger while waiting outside the country.

Supreme Court limits tribal authority over crimes involving non-Natives in Castro-Huerta

The Supreme Court rules in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta on June 29, 2022, that states have concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute crimes committed by non-Natives against Native victims in Indian country unless Congress says otherwise. The decision narrows the practical reach of McGirt v. Oklahoma. Tribal governments and dissenting justices warn that the ruling shifts power from tribes and the federal government to states without clear congressional authorization. Oklahoma officials say the decision improves public safety. Jurisdiction over Native victims and tribal lands is a long-running civil rights and sovereignty issue shaped by race, colonialism, and federal power.

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Trump approves withdrawal of 9,500 U.S. troops from Germany, reducing force ceiling to 25,000

President Donald Trump approves a plan on June 30, 2020, to withdraw 9,500 of the 34,500 U.S. troops stationed in Germany, reducing the total force ceiling to 25,000. Defense Secretary Mark Esper announces some troops will redeploy to Belgium, Italy, and other NATO allies while others return home. Trump says Germany hasn't met its NATO spending obligations, calling the reduction punishment for a country that is "delinquent." Bipartisan Senate critics and former military commanders warn the withdrawal weakens deterrence against Russia and damages alliance credibility.

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Epstein Pleads Guilty to State Charges, Receives Work-Release Sentence

Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty on June 30, 2008 to two Florida state charges — solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor — and was sentenced to 18 months in Palm Beach County jail with work release that allowed him to leave the facility up to 16 hours a day, six days a week. Under the terms of the secret NPA, federal charges covering dozens of additional victims were permanently dismissed. Epstein registered as a sex offender but served only 13 months before being released on probation in July 2009.

Independent Counsel statute lapses after backlash to the Starr investigation

Congress allowed the independent counsel statute to expire on June 30, 1999, after the Starr investigation of President Clinton cost $70 million over five years and culminated in Clinton's impeachment and Senate acquittal. Both parties agreed the statute had proven too powerful and politically unaccountable. The independent counsel was replaced with DOJ's internal special counsel regulations that gave the Attorney General authority to appoint and fire investigators.

Supreme Court establishes three-part Gingles test for Section 2 redistricting claims

The Supreme Court issues its landmark ruling in Thornburg v. Gingles on June 30, 1986, establishing the three-part test that governs all Section 2 vote-dilution redistricting challenges for the next 40 years. Justice William Brennan writes that a minority group can prove vote dilution under Section 2 if it shows: (1) the group is large enough and geographically compact to form a majority in a single district; (2) the group is politically cohesive; and (3) the white majority typically votes as a bloc to defeat the minority's preferred candidate. The ruling strikes down North Carolina's multimember legislative districts for diluting Black voting power and creates the legal framework that will require dozens of states to draw majority-minority districts in the 1990 redistricting cycle.

Thornburg v. Gingles Establishes VRA Section 2 Three-Part Test

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a lower court ruling striking down North Carolina's 1982 multimember legislative districts as diluting Black voting power under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Justice Brennan wrote the majority opinion establishing three preconditions — now called the Gingles factors — that minority plaintiffs must satisfy before a court can find vote dilution. The ruling gave civil rights plaintiffs a workable framework to challenge redistricting plans that crack or pack minority communities.

Supreme Court Establishes Gingles Test for Voting Rights Act Section 2

The Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in Thornburg v. Gingles, striking down four North Carolina multi-member legislative districts as violations of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Justice William Brennan wrote the opinion establishing the three-part Gingles test for vote dilution claims: the minority group must be sufficiently large and geographically compact to form a majority in a single-member district, must be politically cohesive, and must face bloc voting by the majority that usually defeats the minority group's preferred candidate. The ruling established the legal framework for majority-minority districts over the next four decades.

SCOTUS rules in Thornburg v. Gingles that racial vote dilution through multimember districts violates Section 2 of VRA

The Supreme Court rules unanimously in Thornburg v. Gingles that North Carolina's use of multimember legislative districts dilutes Black voting power in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act as amended in 1982. Justice William Brennan writes the majority opinion establishing a three-part test, now the "Gingles test," for evaluating vote dilution claims under Section 2. The decision becomes the foundational standard for racial gerrymandering litigation under the VRA for the next four decades.

Supreme Court upholds vote-dilution challenge in Thornburg v. Gingles

The Supreme Court rules in Thornburg v. Gingles on June 30, 1986, interpreting the 1982 amendments to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The case challenges North Carolina legislative districts that weakened Black voters' ability to elect candidates of their choice. The Court sets out a framework for proving racial vote dilution in districting cases, including political cohesion and racially polarized voting. The test becomes central to Section 2 litigation. The ruling gives courts a practical method for judging whether electoral systems dilute minority voting power.

Second Circuit Revives Alien Tort Statute in Filartiga Ruling

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled on June 30, 1980, in Filartiga v. Pena-Irala that the Alien Tort Statute permits lawsuits for violations of modern international human rights law. Paraguayan citizen Dolly Filartiga sued former Paraguayan inspector general Americo Pena-Irala for the torture and murder of her brother Joelito. The Second Circuit held that state-sponsored torture violates the law of nations, awakening a statute dormant since 1789 and opening U.S. courts to human rights cases.

Ford signs Arms Export Control Act, codifying 30-day congressional review for major foreign arms sales

President Gerald Ford signs the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) on June 30, 1976, consolidating and strengthening U.S. arms export law. Section 36(b) of the AECA requires a 30-day congressional review period before any major arms sale above specified thresholds can close, during which Congress can pass a joint resolution of disapproval. The law also includes Section 36(c), which allows the president to bypass the 30-day period by certifying to Congress that an emergency exists requiring immediate action. The AECA becomes the primary legal framework governing U.S. arms exports for the next 50 years, setting the stage for repeated disputes over the reach and limits of the emergency certification power.

Supreme Court rules the government cannot compel NAACP membership disclosure

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in NAACP v. Alabama (357 U.S. 449) that Alabama could not compel the NAACP to hand over its membership lists as a condition of registering to do business in the state. Justice John Marshall Harlan II held that freedom of association is protected by the First Amendment and incorporated against the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause. The state had subpoenaed names and addresses of all Alabama NAACP members, seeking to expose civil rights workers to retaliation. The Court reversed the Alabama Supreme Court and established that government must show a compelling interest before forcing disclosure of political membership.