April 22

House Financial Services Committee releases statement on China exchange-rate bill

House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (R-AR) released a press statement on April 22, 2026, highlighting passage of H.R. 8290 and the committee's focus on economic growth and market integrity. The committee advanced four bills that day targeting financial competitiveness. (House Financial Services Committee, Apr. 22, 2026)

White House discloses secret ballroom funding contract after FOIA court order

The Trump administration discloses the 14-page "Philanthropic Support Agreement" governing White House ballroom financing, after a federal court orders compliance with Public Citizen's FOIA lawsuit. The contract — signed October 8, 2025 — reveals donors may remain anonymous, the White House is explicitly excluded from conflict-of-interest review requirements applied to the Park Service and Interior Department, and the Trust for the National Mall collects a 2.5% fee (dropping to 2% above $200 million) on all funds raised. The White House names roughly three dozen donors — including Amazon, Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, and Palantir — but declines to disclose individual donation amounts. With the project now estimated at $400 million, the Trust stands to collect approximately $9 million in fees. Fundraising solicitation had begun September 15, before the contract was even signed.

Supreme Court hears arguments on green card holders returning from travel abroad

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 22, 2026, in Blanche v. Lau, a case asking whether DHS may parole a returning lawful permanent resident and later use newly gathered evidence to justify that decision, or whether the law requires clear and convincing evidence at the border before denying ordinary admission. Muk Choi Lau, a green card holder since 2007, was placed on the inadmissibility track at JFK in 2012 after returning from abroad while a trademark case was pending. A ruling is expected by early July 2026.

Rep. Torres asks CFTC to expand probe to $430 million ceasefire-extension trade

On April 22, 2026, Rep. Ritchie Torres asked CFTC Chair Michael Selig to expand the agency's oil futures investigation to include the roughly $430 million Brent crude trade placed before President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Torres linked the trade to earlier March 23, April 7 and April 17 trading episodes.

DOJ formally reclassifies marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III

The Department of Justice finalizes a rule reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I — the most restricted category under the Controlled Substances Act, alongside heroin and LSD — to Schedule III, in line with a recommendation made by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2023. The Biden administration initiated the reclassification process but did not complete it before leaving office. The change does not legalize marijuana at the federal level or affect state law. Marijuana remains a controlled substance. Under Schedule III, the drug is recognized as having accepted medical uses and lower abuse potential than Schedule I or II substances, placing it alongside drugs such as ketamine and anabolic steroids. The reclassification removes marijuana from the highest criminal enforcement category and may reduce some federal penalties for possession. The action takes effect after years of advocacy from medical researchers and cannabis industry groups who argued that Schedule I classification blocked legitimate scientific study and contradicted the medical consensus on marijuana''s therapeutic uses. Thirty-eight states had already legalized medical marijuana. Several Republican-led states had legalized recreational use. The cannabis industry projected the change could allow marijuana companies to deduct normal business expenses on federal taxes — a financial benefit long denied under tax code provisions tied to Schedule I status.

Defense Secretary Hegseth fires Navy Secretary Phelan amid Iran war

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Navy Secretary John Phelan effective immediately on April 22, 2026, while the U.S. Navy was enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports during a ceasefire in the Iran war. Tensions between the two had grown over shipbuilding reform pace and Phelan's direct communications with Trump. Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao was named acting secretary the same day.

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Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Blanche v. Lau on green card holder deportation rights

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 22, 2026, in Blanche v. Lau, asking whether DHS may parole a returning lawful permanent resident and later justify that decision with post-reentry evidence. Muk Choi Lau, a green card holder since 2007, was placed on the inadmissibility track at JFK in 2012 while returning from abroad with a pending trademark case. The Second Circuit had vacated his removal order, finding DHS lacked clear and convincing evidence at the border. A ruling is expected by early July 2026.

Housing Assistance Council President David Lipsetz urges Congress to maintain rural housing funding

David Lipsetz, President of the Housing Assistance Council, expressed grave concern on April 22, 2026, about proposed FY2027 budget cuts reducing Section 502 guaranteed lending from $25B to $20B and eliminating the $5M Native American Single-Family Housing Demo program. Lipsetz urged Congress to require actual disbursement of appropriated rural housing funds. (Housing Assistance Council, Apr. 22, 2026)

9th Circuit blocks California law requiring ICE agents to display identification

A three-judge Ninth Circuit panel unanimously enjoined Section 10 of California's No Vigilantes Act (SB 805), which required non-uniformed federal officers to visibly display agency identification and a name or badge number during enforcement operations. The court held that the provision violated the Supremacy Clause by directly regulating federal officers performing governmental functions. California Governor Gavin Newsom had signed SB 805 in 2025 in response to masked, unidentified ICE agents conducting arrests statewide.

US-Iran ceasefire expires as Islamabad talks stall and Trump extends truce

A ceasefire between the United States and Iran was set to expire on April 22, 2026, after indirect negotiations brokered through Oman and Pakistan failed to produce a nuclear agreement. Iran's foreign ministry cited "contradictory messages and unacceptable actions" from the US side and did not confirm participation in scheduled Islamabad talks. President Trump extended the ceasefire unilaterally, stating Iran needed more time to unify around a proposal; the provisional truce had paused an active US-Iran military conflict that began February 28, 2026.

Bipartisan lawmakers introduce amendment for year-round E15 fuel sales

Representatives Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) submitted a bipartisan amendment to the farm bill allowing year-round E15 gasoline sales. The amendment also overhauled small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard, balancing biofuel producers and oil refiners' demands. Iowa corn growers and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association immediately praised the measure. (Agri-Pulse Communications, Apr. 22, 2026)

Hung Cao named acting Navy secretary after Phelan ouster

Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao was named acting Navy Secretary on April 22, 2026, hours after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed John Phelan effective immediately. Cao had reportedly maintained a difficult working relationship with Phelan. The change came while the U.S. Navy was enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports during a ceasefire in the Iran war, placing a new and unconfirmed acting official in command of an active naval operation.

Comer says Oversight members are split over Maxwell pardon-for-testimony idea

House Oversight Chair James Comer said committee members were divided over the idea of a possible presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell in exchange for testimony in the Epstein investigation. Comer and Democrats opposed the idea, while some Republicans were described as open to it if it produced testimony.

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