EIW Today - June 24th, 2025

Prism Group's Daily Summary

SUPREME COURT OPENS DOOR FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO CHALLENGE FEDERAL RULES AND TARIFFS… The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that small businesses can challenge federal regulations even if they aren’t directly regulated, overturning a prior decision that limited such legal standing. The case involved Clean Air Act waivers but could have broader effects on how agencies enforce rules, as more businesses now have a clearer path to judicial review. The decision lowers the legal threshold for initiating challenges, potentially giving small businesses more tools to contest regulations that affect their operations. Meanwhile, one company is asking the Court to fast-track a challenge to Trump-era tariffs, highlighting how smaller firms—often more acutely affected than their corporate counterparts—are leading the charge against sweeping trade policies. These developments underscore a growing trend: small business owners are increasingly turning to the courts to defend their interests.

SMBs BRACE FOR OIL PRICE SWINGS… As CBS News reports, oil prices have fluctuated amid concerns over Iran’s control of a key shipping route and the potential for broader conflict. While oil initially spiked 4% Sunday night, it dropped more than 7% by Monday, reflecting market uncertainty rather than actual supply disruption. Experts say the U.S.’s role as a top oil producer has muted the impact for now, though some small businesses are already feeling the pressure from fuel costs.

DOJ: OVERRIDING DE MINIMIS–EMERGENCY POWERS AND TARIFF POLICY UNDER IEEPA…  The Department of Justice (DOJ) defended the Trump administration’s removal of the de minimis tariff exemption for Chinese goods under $800, arguing in court that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) allows the president to override statutory “privileges” like this exemption during a national emergency. This comes in response to a lawsuit by Detroit Axle, which claims the exemption change for Chinese goods was illegal without rulemaking.  

THE STATE OF THE STATES

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS: 

Twelve legislatures are in regular session. Maine is in special session.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING: 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said her state will develop and construct a new advanced nuclear power plant, the first since 1989. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a measure providing $350 million to develop nuclear power in his state, and another bill to promote a nuclear workforce.

Wisconsin lawmakers have approved legislation allowing gig workers to be eligible for incentives and benefits. The bill expands portable benefits to cover delivery drivers for companies like Uber and Instacart.

LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT? 

The House... convenes today at 10:00 AM. The full schedule may be found here. 

The Senate... convenes today at 2:15 PM. The full schedule may be found here. 

HAPPENING ON THE HILL  

The House...  

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Full Committee Markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Bill”

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Securing America's Mineral Future: Unlocking the Economic Value Beneath Our Feet.”

Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Health Subcommittee Hearing: The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget.”

Committee on Finance will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 10:00 AM entitled “The Federal Reserve’s Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report.”

Committee on Natural Resources will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Legislative Hearing on H.R. 1676, H.R. 3538, H.R. 3857 & H.R. 3858 | Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee.”

Committee on Natural Resources will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 2:00 PM entitled, “Enhancing Educational Outcomes in Indian Country: Postsecondary Education at the Bureau of Indian Education | Joint Oversight Hearing.” 

Committee on Finance will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 2:00 PM entitled, “Member Day.”

Committee on Ways and Means, Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/25 at 9:00 AM entitled, “Health Subcommittee Hearing on Health at Your Fingertips: Harnessing the Power of Digital Health Data.”

Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/25 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Spies, Lies, and Mismanagement: Examining the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s Downfall.”

Committee on Finance will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/25 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Reassessing Sarbanes-Oxley: The Cost of Compliance in Today’s Capital Markets.”

Committee on Natural Resources will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/25 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Full Committee Markup.”

Committee on Ways and Means, Social Security and Work & Welfare Subcommittees will hold a hearing T, 6/25 at 2:00 PM entitled, “Joint Social Security and Work & Welfare Subcommittee Hearing with the Commissioner of Social Security, Frank J. Bisignano.”

Committee on Finance will hold a hearing Thursday, 6/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, “From Watchdog to Attack Dog: Examining the CFPB’s Chopra-era Assault on Disfavored Industries.”

Committee on Foreign Affairs, South and Central Asia Subcommittee will hold a hearing Thursday, 6/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Assessing the Terror Threat Landscape in South and Central Asia and Examining Opportunities for Cooperation.”

Committee on Natural Resources, Federal Lands Subcommittee will hold a hearing Thursday, 6/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Oversight Hearing.”

Committee on Energy and Commerce, Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee will hold a hearing Thursday, 6/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, “CMT Hearing: Looking Under the Hood: The State of NHTSA and Motor Vehicle Safety.”

Committee on Energy and Commerce, Environment Subcommittee will hold a hearing Thursday, 6/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Environment Hearing: A Decade Later: A Review of Congressional Action, Environmental Protection Agency Rules, and Beneficial Use Opportunities for Coal Ash.”

The Senate...    

Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 10:00 AM entitled, “The Thin Blue Line Protecting America from the Cartels.”

Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 2:30 PM entitled, “Deregulation & Competition: Reducing Regulatory Burdens to Unlock Innovation and Spur New Entry.”

Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 10:30 AM entitled, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Navy.” 

Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 10:30 AM entitled, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Veterans Affairs.”

Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 2:30 PM entitled, “Regulatory Burdens to Unlock Innovation and Spur New Entry.”

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Subcommittee will hold a hearing Today, 6/24 at 3:00 PM entitled, “Exploring Bipartisan Legislative Frameworks for Digital Asset Market Structure.”

Committee on Appropriations, Full Committee will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/25 at 2:30 PM entitled, “A Review of the President’s Special Message”

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs will hold a hearing Tomorrow, Wednesday, 6/25 at 10:00 AM entitled, “The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress.”

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing Tomorrow, Wednesday, 6/25 at 10:00 AM entitled, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Justice.”

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing Tomorrow, Wednesday, 6/25 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services.”

Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing Tomorrow, Wednesday, 6/25 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Nominations.”

Committee on the Judiciary, Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights Subcommittee will hold a hearing Tomorrow, Wednesday, 6/25 at 2:30 PM entitled, “Enter the Dragon—China and the Left’s Lawfare Against American Energy Dominance.”

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing Thursday, 6/26 at 9:30 AM entitled, “Nominations.”

Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing Thursday, 6/26 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Executive Business Meeting.”

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Defense Subcommittee will hold a hearing Thursday 6/26 at 10:30 AM entitled, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Air Force and Space Force.”

BILLS OF INTEREST 

Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-8) introduced HR 4090 to codify certain provisions of Executive Orders relating to domestic mining and hardrock mineral resources.

Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL-2) introduced HR 4084 to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish duties for pharmacies to ensure provision of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraception and medication.

AT THE AGENCIES  

The U.S. Department of Labor 

The Department of Labor has issued new guidance for farmers on H-2A worker regulations. This will suspend the Biden administration’s 2024 farmworker rule and instead “provide clarity for American farmers while also aligning with President Trump’s ongoing commitment to strictly enforcing U.S. immigration laws.” 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury 

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets is identifying one individual and eight entities, as well as one vessel, as blocked property, for their aiding in the acquisition and transshipment of sensitive machinery for Iran’s defense industry.

OFAC has also targeted four individuals, 12 entities, and two vessels that have imported oil and other goods for Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis. The action, according to Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender, “underscores [the Treasury’s] commitment to disrupting the Houthis’ financial and shipping pipelines that enable their reckless behavior in the Red Sea and the surrounding region.” 

The Treasury has also announced 5 new appointments. Tyler Badgley, formerly the department’s Executive Secretary, will serve as Deputy General Counsel. Francis Brooke will serve as Counselor to the Secretary. Donald Korb, a practicing attorney with an extensive background in tax, has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the Chief Counsel of the International Revenue Service. Rachel Miller, who joins the department from Chain Bridge Bank, will serve as Executive Secretary. Christopher Pilkerton will serve as Acting General Counsel of the Department of the Treasury. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates. 

The U.S. Trade Representative 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration 

The Small Business Administration is offering disaster relief to Missouri, California, Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa private nonprofits and small businesses in the form of low interest disaster loans.

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