February 7

Vance Casts Tiebreaker to Advance FY2026 Budget Resolution in Senate

Vice President JD Vance cast a tiebreaking vote on Feb. 7, 2025, to advance the FY2026 budget resolution in the Senate. The budget resolution was the first step in the reconciliation process that would eventually produce the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; with Republicans holding exactly 53 Senate seats, moderate Republican reservations about spending parameters brought the vote to a tie that required Vance's presence in the Senate chamber to break.

Trump signs Executive Order 14206 directing comprehensive firearms regulatory review

President Trump signed Executive Order 14206, "Protecting Second Amendment Rights," directing the Attorney General to review all federal firearms regulations implemented from Jan. 2021 through Jan. 2025 for potential "infringements" on Second Amendment rights. The order specifically targets ATF rules on pistol braces, bump stocks, and enhanced enforcement policies. (Federal Register, Feb. 12, 2025)

Trump signs executive order expanding Second Amendment protections

President Trump signed an executive order titled "Protecting Second Amendment Rights," directing the Attorney General to review all federal firearm regulations implemented since January 2021 and identify any that exceeded statutory authority or burdened lawful gun ownership. The order also directed DOJ to deprioritize prosecution of certain regulatory firearms violations and review Biden-era ATF rules on pistol braces and ghost guns.

NIH Tries to Cap University Indirect Research Costs at 15%, Court Blocks It

The National Institutes of Health announced a new policy capping indirect cost reimbursements to universities at 15% of direct research costs, down from negotiated rates averaging 27-50%. The cap would have cut approximately $4 billion in annual funding to university research programs. A federal judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction within 48 hours, finding the NIH lacked statutory authority to unilaterally override congressionally negotiated rate agreements.

Biden announces first major infrastructure projects funded by bipartisan law

President Biden announces the first major infrastructure projects funded by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including $3.4 billion for 2,800 projects to improve public transportation, $2.5 billion for electric vehicle charging stations, and billions for bridge repairs and clean water infrastructure. The announcement marks the implementation phase of the bipartisan law passed in November 2021. The administration highlights projects in all 50 states, emphasizing job creation and economic growth. The infrastructure law represents the largest federal investment in infrastructure in decades.

Federal court blocks Alabama congressional map under Voting Rights Act

A three-judge federal district court blocks Alabama's congressional map on January 24, 2022, finding that plaintiffs are substantially likely to prove a Section 2 Voting Rights Act violation. The court says Alabama should create a second district where Black voters have an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. The Supreme Court later stays the order for the 2022 elections, but the case returns as Allen v. Milligan. The litigation becomes a major test of whether Section 2 still protects minority voters in redistricting. The case begins the modern Alabama redistricting fight that leads to a major Supreme Court voting-rights ruling in 2023.