Daily Digest — 2026-08-08

Source: Congressional Record (CREC), issue observed 2026-08-08, covering proceedings of 2026-07-13. Published by govinfo 2026-08-08T15:48:52Z; observed by our collector 2026-08-08T16:03:50Z. Total issue size: 413 granule(s). Source: Congressional Record (CREC), issue observed 2026-08-08, covering proceedings of 2026-08-07. Published by govinfo 2026-08-08T18:50:26Z; observed by our collector 2026-08-08T19:09:42Z. Total issue size: 413 granule(s).

1.1 Senate

legislativeartificial intelligence (model-generated key)cybersecurity (model-generated key)defense authorization (model-generated key)

In plain terms The Senate passed budget resolutions and public safety officer benefits legislation; debated Russia sanctions with tariff provisions; considered amendments to defense authorization on AI, cybersecurity, and quantum research; and received executive nominations.

• National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Session) — A senator spoke in opposition to the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, objecting to the scale of defense budget increases, new provisions mandating expanded defense and intelligence cooperation with Israel, Pentagon audit failures, and military operations in Iran. The senator argued the authorization would provide funding for military operations without explicit Congressional authorization for military force.
• In plain terms A senator opposed the FY2027 defense authorization, citing budget increases, expanded Israel defense cooperation provisions, Pentagon audit failures, and Iran military operations lacking explicit force authorization.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (31,563 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3731-3 (opens in a new tab)
• Executive and Other Communications — The Senate received multiple executive communications transmitting reports on regulatory rules from the National Marine Fisheries Service, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Federal Communications Commission, and other agencies. The communications covered fisheries management regulations for species including salmon, Pacific cod, red snapper, and demersal shelf rockfish, as well as a rule on the FCC's digital opportunity data collection modernization. All communications were referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and other appropriate committees.
• In plain terms The Senate received and referred to committees executive communications on fisheries management for salmon, Pacific cod, red snapper, and demersal shelf rockfish, and FCC digital opportunity data collection modernization rules.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (33,548 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3739-3 (opens in a new tab)
• Additional Cosponsors — The Senate record documents the addition of multiple senators as cosponsors to various bills covering diverse policy areas including epilepsy research, school bus safety, Social Security supplemental income, higher education foreign investment disclosure, organ donor protection, agricultural exports, supersonic aircraft operations, air quality regulation, Supreme Court ethics, litigation finance taxation, human trafficking, tax deferrals, congressional ethics, agricultural foreign investment, veterans commemoration, currency coins, farm stress assistance, solitary confinement restriction, agricultural tourism, health insurance coverage, pharmaceutical labeling, bilateral defense cooperation, employment leave, aviation certification, retail pricing practices, and immigration detention oversight.
• In plain terms Senators joined bills addressing epilepsy research, school bus safety, Social Security, foreign investment disclosure, organ donation, agricultural exports, aviation, ethics, human trafficking, veterans, and immigration detention.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (28,496 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3742-4 (opens in a new tab)
• Amendments Submitted and Proposed — Multiple senators submitted amendments to bill S. 4784, the Department of Defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2027, covering military activities, military construction, defense appropriations, and military personnel matters. The amendments were ordered to lie on the table and addressed various policy objectives within the defense authorization framework.
• In plain terms Senators submitted amendments to the FY2027 defense authorization bill covering military activities, construction, appropriations, and personnel matters, ordered to lie on the table.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (19,902 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3747-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Amendments — Amendment SA 6561 provides an antitrust exemption for non-federal entities to share information and coordinate strategies regarding artificial intelligence security risks, with notice requirements and good-faith limitations. Amendment SA 6562 requires the Secretary of Defense to report on military assistance provided to the Department of Homeland Security for immigration enforcement operations since January 20, 2025. Amendment SA 6563 requires the Secretary of Defense to establish guidance on community engagement and emergency preparedness for defense contractors handling hazardous or energetic materials.
• In plain terms SA 6561 exempts non-federal AI security information sharing; SA 6562 requires DoD report on military aid to DHS for immigration enforcement since January 20, 2025; SA 6563 requires DoD contractor guidance on hazardous materials and community engagement.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (1,716,550 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3749 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6574 — Amendment SA 6574 proposes an Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 that authorizes appropriations for federal intelligence activities and establishes the Intelligence Community Management Account. The amendment modifies positions within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, including redesignating the Principal Deputy Director position, establishes an Office of Counterintelligence, and creates multiple provisions governing intelligence community use of artificial intelligence, including policies on AI security, labeling of AI outputs, and restrictions on certain AI systems.
• In plain terms SA 6574 authorizes FY2027 intelligence appropriations, establishes the Intelligence Community Management Account and Office of Counterintelligence, and creates AI policies on security, labeling, and restrictions.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (165,405 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3754-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6578 — Amendment SA 6578, the Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act, addresses transnational cyber-enabled fraud and human trafficking perpetrated through scam compounds in Southeast Asia and other regions. The amendment declares findings on the scale of losses from cyber fraud and the involvement of transnational criminal organizations and human trafficking, and requires the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy within 180 days to disrupt scam compound operations, dismantle associated criminal infrastructure, support trafficking victims, and enhance international law enforcement cooperation.
• In plain terms SA 6578 requires the Secretary of State to develop a strategy within 180 days to disrupt scam compounds, dismantle criminal infrastructure, support trafficking victims, and enhance international law enforcement cooperation.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (31,508 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3769 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6579 — The amendment proposes the James T. Woods Community Safety Act, which directs the Sentencing Commission to amend federal sentencing guidelines for child sexual abuse material offenses to reflect changes in offense conduct and technology, criminalizes sextortion and coercion of children, establishes measures against organized retail crime and prison contraband, and schedules xylazine as a controlled substance with enforcement and reporting requirements.
• In plain terms The James T. Woods Community Safety Act updates sentencing guidelines for child sexual abuse material offenses, criminalizes sextortion and child coercion, addresses organized retail crime and prison contraband, and schedules xylazine as a controlled substance.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (62,045 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3774-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6585 — The amendment directs the Secretaries of Commerce and State to identify semiconductor manufacturing equipment of national security concern, pursue diplomatic alignment of export controls with allied supplier countries, issue regulations applying countrywide controls on covered equipment, and submit annual reports to Congress on implementation and diplomatic efforts.
• In plain terms The amendment directs Commerce and State Secretaries to identify semiconductor equipment of national security concern, align export controls diplomatically with allies, issue regulations applying countrywide controls, and report annually to Congress.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (17,613 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3782 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6594 — The amendment establishes the Congressional National Security Commission on Emerging Science and Technology, a 12-member independent commission composed of congressional members and private sector experts, to examine emerging science and technology's implications for national security, military capabilities, U.S. economic competitiveness, and provide annual recommendations to Congress.
• In plain terms The amendment establishes a 12-member Congressional National Security Commission on Emerging Science and Technology with members from Congress and the private sector to provide annual recommendations on national security and competitiveness.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (23,687 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3786 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6595 — The amendment amends the Stafford Act to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish within 360 days a unified disaster assistance intake system that consolidates applications across federal disaster assistance programs, allows applicants to track status and update information, and facilitates data sharing among disaster assistance agencies while maintaining data security protections.
• In plain terms The amendment requires FEMA to establish a unified disaster assistance intake system within 360 days that consolidates applications, allows applicants to track status, and enables data sharing among agencies while protecting security.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (20,098 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3788 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6598 — The amendment requires submission of reports within 180 days and annually for three subsequent years assessing the advanced artificial intelligence capabilities of the People's Republic of China, including detailed assessments of PRC semiconductor chip designers and their products, fabrication facilities, manufacturing equipment companies, and electronic design automation software with specified technical and production metrics.
• In plain terms The amendment requires reports within 180 days and annually for three years assessing China's advanced AI capabilities, including semiconductor designers, fabrication facilities, equipment companies, and design software with technical metrics.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (30,691 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3791-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6606 — The amendment modernizes the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States by broadening the definition of critical technologies, establishing a Known Investor Program allowing voluntary pre-notification consultations with foreign investors, creating a pilot program to track foreign greenfield investments in strategic sectors, and extending CFIUS appropriations authorization through 2030.
• In plain terms The amendment modernizes CFIUS by broadening critical technology definitions, establishing a Known Investor Program for voluntary investor consultations, piloting foreign greenfield investment tracking, and extending appropriations authority through 2030.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (17,060 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3797-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6608 — This amendment establishes the Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026, designating the Secretary of State to coordinate federal efforts promoting internet access and freedom in Iran. It requires updated strategies assessing internet circumvention technologies, direct-to-cell wireless communications, and terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure. The amendment authorizes the Department of State to support development of technologies to counter internet shutdowns in Iran through fiscal year 2030.
• In plain terms The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 designates the Secretary of State to coordinate efforts promoting internet access in Iran and authorizes support for technologies countering internet shutdowns through 2030.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (22,620 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3799 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6609 — This amendment establishes the Unmanned System Command and Control Integration Assessment Act of 2026, requiring the Secretary of Defense to assess open-architecture unmanned systems command and control frameworks used by allied nations including Ukraine and Israel. The assessment will examine technical architecture, operational effectiveness in contested environments, cybersecurity resilience, interoperability with existing Department systems, and implementation requirements, with an independent advisory panel providing technical guidance.
• In plain terms The Unmanned System Command and Control Integration Assessment Act of 2026 requires DoD to assess allied unmanned system frameworks from Ukraine and Israel, examining architecture, contested-environment effectiveness, cybersecurity, interoperability, and implementation needs.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (25,475 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3801 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6610 — This amendment establishes the Blocking Large-scale Adversarial Distillation Efforts Act of 2026 (BLADE Act), addressing unauthorized extraction of artificial intelligence model capabilities by foreign entities designated as persons of concern. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to assess which entities have conducted model extraction attacks against closed-source U.S. artificial intelligence models and fraudulent account network provider activities, and to identify artificial intelligence models derived from such attacks.
• In plain terms The Blocking Large-scale Adversarial Distillation Efforts Act of 2026 (BLADE Act) requires the Secretary of Commerce to assess foreign entities' unauthorized AI model extraction attacks and fraudulent account network activities.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (23,811 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3803 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6612 — This amendment contains two titles: the first modifies tribal leasing and rights-of-way authorities under the Long-Term Leasing Act by allowing Indian tribes to grant rights-of-way over tribal land independently under Secretary-of-the-Interior-approved tribal regulations that include environmental review processes. The second title transfers specific land in Alaska to the Southcentral Foundation for healthcare facility purposes.
• In plain terms Two titles: first allows Indian tribes to grant rights-of-way over tribal land under Interior-approved regulations; second transfers specific Alaska land to the Southcentral Foundation for healthcare.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (151,627 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3805-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6617 — This amendment establishes the EPERMIT Act, requiring the Council on Environmental Quality to develop data standards and minimum functional requirements for federal environmental review and permitting processes. It directs development of prototype digital tools and guidance for federal agencies to implement standardized systems for managing environmental reviews, including automated workflows, public comment tracking, and data sharing capabilities.
• In plain terms The EPERMIT Act requires CEQ to develop data standards and tools for federal environmental review and permitting with automated workflows, comment tracking, and agency data sharing.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (24,097 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3822 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6627 — This amendment establishes the Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act, requiring the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter transnational criminal organizations operating scam compounds that perpetrate cyber-enabled fraud and exploit victims through human trafficking. The strategy addresses disruption of scam compound operations, capacity-building with foreign law enforcement partners in affected regions including Southeast Asia, and victim support services.
• In plain terms The Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act requires the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to disrupt scam compound operations, build foreign law enforcement capacity in affected regions, and support victims.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (31,456 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3828 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6631 — The amendment authorizes the Secretary of State to detect, track, and take protective actions against unmanned aircraft threats to diplomatic facilities and assets, including disrupting aircraft control and seizing aircraft when necessary, with coordination requirements involving the FAA and advance risk-based assessments of potential impacts to airspace operations and national security.
• In plain terms The amendment authorizes the Secretary of State to detect, track, disrupt, and seize unmanned aircraft threatening diplomatic facilities, coordinating with the FAA and conducting risk assessments.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (22,686 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3832-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6639 — The amendment establishes a framework for addressing sabotage threats to critical undersea communications and energy infrastructure by requiring international coordination, documenting recent damage incidents across multiple regions, and directing U.S. government engagement with relevant international bodies including NATO initiatives and multilateral organizations to advance protection and resilience.
• In plain terms The amendment creates a framework for international coordination to protect undersea communications and energy infrastructure from sabotage and to document damage incidents.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (43,208 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3836-3 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6640 — The amendment establishes the American Supply Chain Sovereignty Initiative to integrate voluntary private and public sector supply chain data for the purpose of countering foreign logistics platforms' influence in U.S. maritime networks, with protections for data privacy, business confidentiality, and commercial autonomy in operations and pricing.
• In plain terms The amendment establishes the American Supply Chain Sovereignty Initiative to combine private and public supply chain information to counter foreign influence in U.S. maritime networks.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (45,764 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3840 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6645 — The amendment establishes a pilot program transferring jurisdiction and management of judicial branch facilities in up to 10 judicial districts and the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building to the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, granting authority to acquire, construct, manage, lease, and alter court accommodations.
• In plain terms The amendment establishes a pilot program giving the Director of the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts authority to manage judicial facilities in up to 10 districts and the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (42,083 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3846-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6646 — The amendment expands the Department of Energy's quantum information science research program to include engineering and technology fields, establishes National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, requires coordination with industry partners and federal agencies, mandates a 5-year high-performance computing strategic plan, and creates workforce development and verification programs.
• In plain terms The amendment expands the Department of Energy's quantum research program, establishes National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, and requires a five-year computing plan and workforce development programs.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (23,863 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3850 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6648 — The amendment directs the State Department to develop a 5-year strategic plan expanding anti-crime and rule-of-law programming addressing transnational crime, authorizes public-private partnerships with specified focus areas including cyber-scam centers and port security, appropriates $100 million annually through 2031, and expands the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities to include law enforcement and environmental crime coordination.
• In plain terms The amendment directs the State Department to develop a five-year crime prevention and rule-of-law plan with $100 million in annual funding through 2031 and public-private partnerships.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (28,884 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3853 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6652 — This amendment proposes adding a Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 to the defense authorization bill, containing provisions addressing State Department workforce matters, organizational operations, information security, public diplomacy, diplomatic security, consular affairs, and various foreign policy authorities including sanctions related to Russian activities, Taiwan, Sudan, transnational crime, and subsea infrastructure.
• In plain terms The amendment proposes adding a State Department Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 to the defense authorization bill covering department operations, security, and foreign policy matters.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (307,975 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3857-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6664 — This amendment proposes reauthorizing and expanding the National Quantum Initiative Act through amendments that add definitions for quantum-related terms and foreign entities of concern, establish new program purposes related to quantum applications and international cooperation, and modify coordination and workforce development provisions.
• In plain terms The amendment proposes reauthorizing and expanding the National Quantum Initiative Act with new definitions and programs for quantum applications and international cooperation.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (109,317 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3889-5 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6666 — This amendment proposes the American Biotechnology Competitiveness Act, establishing biosecurity oversight for nucleic acid synthesis through requirements that covered entities implement screening protocols for sequence inputs and customer verification, maintain a government-curated list of sequences of concern, and undergo conformity assessments administered by the Department of Commerce.
• In plain terms The amendment establishes biosecurity requirements for nucleic acid synthesis including screening protocols, customer verification, and conformity assessments by the Department of Commerce.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (38,443 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3900 (opens in a new tab)
• Nominations — This Congressional Record entry contains executive nominations submitted to the Senate, including nominations to the U.S. Tax Court, the Department of Labor, and military officer promotions across the Air Force, Army, Navy, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
• In plain terms The entry lists executive nominations to the U.S. Tax Court, the Department of Labor, and military officer promotions across the armed services.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (28,303 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3907-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Russia Sanctions (Executive Session) — Senate floor debate on legislation combining Russia sanctions measures and tariff authority, with some senators opposing the inclusion of tariff provisions.
• In plain terms The Senate debated a bill combining Russia sanctions and tariff authority, with some senators opposed to including tariffs.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (33,895 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4534 (opens in a new tab)
• Legislative Session — The Senate rejected an amendment to remove tariff provisions from Russia sanctions legislation (32-64 vote) and approved an amendment on Russia sanctions measures. The bill advanced for passage.
• In plain terms The Senate rejected a move to remove tariffs from Russia sanctions legislation (32-64) and approved amendments on Russia sanctions, advancing the bill.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (17,794 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4538 (opens in a new tab)
• Legislative Session — The Senate debated legislation to extend duty-free trade treatment for certain African countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and to extend customs user fees.
• In plain terms The Senate debated legislation to extend duty-free trade for certain African countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and to extend customs user fees.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (39,423 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4542-3 (opens in a new tab)
• Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026 — The Senate passed S. 3897 amending the public safety officers' death benefits program to establish claim processing timelines, provide interim benefits for unresolved claims over 270 days, and require expanded outreach to public safety organizations.
• In plain terms The Senate passed S. 3897 amending the public safety officers' death benefits program to establish processing timelines, provide interim benefits for claims over 270 days, and require expanded outreach.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (18,738 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4549-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Commending the Chicago Cubs Baseball Team as It Celebrates Its 150TH Anniversary on August 29, 2026 — The Senate passed S. Res. 815, commending the Chicago Cubs baseball team on its 150th anniversary on August 29, 2026. The resolution documents the team's founding in 1876 as a National League charter member, its World Series championships, notable players and broadcasters, and the organization's charitable donations totaling over $51 million to youth sports and community programs.
• In plain terms The Senate passed a resolution commending the Chicago Cubs on its 150th anniversary August 29, 2026, noting its 1876 founding, World Series championships, and over $51 million in charitable donations.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (15,776 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4552 (opens in a new tab)
• Additional Cosponsors — The Senate record documents the addition of cosponsors to multiple pending bills including measures on financial regulation, military benefits, healthcare coverage, tax provisions, environmental law, and various other legislative matters.
• In plain terms The Senate record documents the addition of cosponsors to multiple pending bills on financial regulation, military benefits, healthcare, taxes, environmental law, and other matters.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (21,181 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4564-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 38--SETTING Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Yea… — Senate Concurrent Resolution 38 sets recommended federal budget levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2036, specifying federal revenues of $4.48 trillion for 2027 rising to $6.34 trillion by 2036, total new budget authority, total outlays, projected deficits, and public debt amounts. The resolution also establishes budgetary levels for major functional categories including national defense, international affairs, science and space, energy, and natural resources.
• In plain terms Senate Concurrent Resolution 38 sets recommended federal budgets for fiscal years 2027-2036, with revenues from $4.48 trillion to $6.34 trillion, and allocations for defense, international affairs, science, energy, and natural resources.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (62,750 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4571-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 39--SETTING Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Yea… — Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 sets the same recommended federal budget levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2036 as S. Con. Res. 38, including federal revenues, new budget authority, outlays, deficits, and public debt amounts, with allocations specified across functional categories including defense, international affairs, and natural resources.
• In plain terms Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 sets the same recommended federal budgets for fiscal years 2027-2036 as S. Con. Res. 38, with allocations for defense, international affairs, and natural resources.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (63,009 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4577 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Amendments — Proposed amendments to S. 4668 address student athlete protections and intercollegiate athletics, including preservation of sovereign immunity for public institutions, antitrust exemptions for athletic conferences, requirements for suicide prevention contact information on student identification cards, a cap on annual ticket price increases of 4 percent, and liability protections for athletic associations.
• In plain terms Amendments to S. 4668 would preserve sovereign immunity for public schools, exempt athletic conferences from antitrust law, require suicide prevention info on student IDs, cap ticket increases at 4%, and protect athletic associations.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (251,464 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4583-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Text of Senate Amendment 6768 — The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 proposes comprehensive regulation of intercollegiate athletics through three titles: protections for student athlete name, image, and likeness rights with registration and disclosure requirements; regulations on sports broadcasting and media rights; and an HBCU Sports Media and Connectivity Program authorizing grants for broadband and broadcast infrastructure improvements.
• In plain terms The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 regulates college athletics through protections for student athlete name/image/likeness with registration, sports broadcasting rules, and grants for HBCU broadband infrastructure.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (89,010 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4588-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Nominations — The Senate received executive nominations including ambassadors to Tonga, Madagascar, Comoros, Chad, Nicaragua, Kyrgyzstan, Togo, Gabon, Mauritania, Benin, Malawi, and Cabo Verde; an ambassador-at-large for the Arctic; assistant secretaries for Transportation and Health and Human Services; board members for the Export-Import Bank and other agencies; and Air Force officer promotions to colonel and major ranks.
• In plain terms The Senate received nominations for ambassadors to twelve countries, an Arctic ambassador-at-large, assistant secretaries for Transportation and Health, Export-Import Bank board members, and Air Force officer promotions.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (55,073 characters) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4596-3 (opens in a new tab)

1.2 House of Representatives

legislative9/11 security fee (model-generated key)aviation security (model-generated key)executive communications (model-generated key)

In plain terms H.R. 8770 directs 9/11 Security Fee revenue to aviation security and ends fund diversion by 2027; the House also received regulatory communications from HUD, Treasury, NCUA, MSHA, EPA, and State Department.

• Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety Act of 2026 — H.R. 8770, the SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026, expresses Congress's intent that 9/11 Security Fee revenue be used solely for aviation security and directs the diversion of those funds to end by 2027. The bill directs $500 million annually for the Aviation Security Capital Fund and establishes a new $250 million annual Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund to test, procure, and deploy screening technology, beginning in fiscal year 2028.
• In plain terms H.R. 8770 directs 9/11 Security Fee revenue to aviation security only, ending diversions by 2027, and funds $500 million annually for capital improvements and $250 million annually for checkpoint technology testing starting in 2028.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (15,931 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgH4388 (opens in a new tab)
• Executive Communications, ETC. — The House received and referred to appropriate committees numerous executive communications, including final and interim regulatory rules from HUD, Treasury, NCUA, MSHA, EPA, and the State Department. These documents cover topics including banking standards, environmental compliance, mining safety, and various regulatory and reporting requirements.
• In plain terms The House received and referred to committees executive communications with final and interim rules from HUD, Treasury, NCUA, MSHA, EPA, and State on banking, environmental, mining, and reporting matters.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-01 — floor item ≥ threshold floor time (15,616 characters) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgH4405-6 (opens in a new tab)

1.3 Recorded Votes

• Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025 — The House suspended its rules and passed H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025, which requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a collective response to a terrorism exercise that includes management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure during periods of cold weather. The vote was 400 in favor, 7 opposed, and 23 members did not vote.
• In plain terms H.R. 3106 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a terrorism response exercise addressing cascading infrastructure effects during severe cold weather; passed 400-7.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-02 — recorded vote (all recorded votes are listed) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgH4403 (opens in a new tab)
• Improving Travel for American Families Act — H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act, passed the House with a vote of 398-12 after suspension of the rules and amendment. The document does not contain details about the bill's substantive provisions.
• In plain terms H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act, passed the House 398-12 with no details on its provisions in this document.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-02 — recorded vote (all recorded votes are listed) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgH4403-2 (opens in a new tab)
• Vote on Jones Nomination (Executive Calendar) — The Senate confirmed the Jones nomination by a vote of 46-44, with 9 senators not voting. The vote split along party lines, with Republican senators supporting the nomination and Democratic senators opposing it.
• In plain terms The Senate confirmed the Jones nomination 46-44 along party lines, with 9 senators not voting.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-02 — recorded vote (all recorded votes are listed) (document dated 2026-07-13)
• Source: CREC-2026-07-13 / CREC-2026-07-13-pt1-PgS3735-3 (opens in a new tab)
• EXECUTIVE RESOLUTION (Executive Session) — The Senate confirmed 51 federal nominees in executive session, including ambassadors, federal judges, and government officials (51-47 vote).
• In plain terms The Senate confirmed 51 federal nominees including ambassadors, judges, and officials by 51-47 vote.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-02 — recorded vote (all recorded votes are listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4540 (opens in a new tab)
• Cloture Motion — The Senate agreed 91-6 to invoke cloture on an amendment to legislation extending duty-free trade treatment for certain African countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
• In plain terms The Senate voted 91-6 to end debate on an amendment extending duty-free trade for certain African countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-02 — recorded vote (all recorded votes are listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4542-2 (opens in a new tab)
• AGOA EXTENSION ACT--Continued — The Senate rejected Senator Budd's amendment to strike section 2019 from the continuing resolution H.R. 6500, which addresses hemp product regulation, with the motion to table passing 61-32. The continuing resolution H.R. 6500 subsequently passed 90-6.
• In plain terms The Senate rejected an amendment to remove hemp regulation language from continuing resolution H.R. 6500 (61-32) and passed the resolution 90-6.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-02 — recorded vote (all recorded votes are listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4553-3 (opens in a new tab)
• Cloture Motion — The Senate invoked cloture on the nomination of Todd Blanche of Florida to be Attorney General, with the cloture motion passing 50-49.
• In plain terms The Senate voted 50-49 to end debate on Todd Blanche of Florida's nomination as Attorney General.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-02 — recorded vote (all recorded votes are listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4555 (opens in a new tab)
• Vote on Blanche Nomination (Executive Calendar) — The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche of Florida as Attorney General by a vote of 50-49.
• In plain terms The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche of Florida as Attorney General by 50-49 vote.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-02 — recorded vote (all recorded votes are listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4555-3 (opens in a new tab)
• Amending the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to Require Voters to Provide Photo Identification--Motion to Proceed — The Senate rejected a motion to proceed to S. 5271, which would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification, with the cloture motion failing 52-46 and falling short of the 60 votes required for passage.
• In plain terms The Senate blocked a vote on S. 5271 requiring voters to show photo identification when voting, as the motion to end debate failed 52-46, short of 60 votes needed.
• Included because: CREC-SEL-02 — recorded vote (all recorded votes are listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: CREC-2026-08-07 / CREC-2026-08-07-pt1-PgS4556-2 (opens in a new tab)

Source: Congressional Bills (BILLS), text versions published 2026-08-08 to 2026-08-08.

2.1 Counts by Stage

2.2 Bills Listed by Mechanical Rule

Bills below are listed because they matched at least one listing rule; the matching rule is stated per item. All other bill texts are counted above and accounted for in the Coverage Statement.

No bill texts published in this range matched a listing rule; all 8 are accounted for in the Coverage Statement.

Source: Federal Register (FR), issue of 2026-08-08.

3.1 Counts by Document Type

3.2 Rules Published

No rules were published in this issue.

3.3 Proposed Rules Published

No proposed rules were published in this issue.

3.4 Notices and Presidential Documents

Notices are summarized only when they match a listing rule; all are counted in 3.1 and in the Coverage Statement. Presidential documents in the FR are always listed.

No notices or presidential documents matched a listing rule.

Source: Public and Private Laws (PLAW) published 2026-08-08.

No laws were published in this range.

Source: United States Courts Opinions (USCOURTS): opinions observed 2026-08-08 by our collector; each opinion states its own issue date beside its listing (how our clocks work).

Completeness disclosure (standing): USCOURTS carries opinions from approximately 140 participating appellate, district, bankruptcy, and national federal courts. Unlike the Congressional Record and the Federal Register, which are the complete official record of their branches, USCOURTS is participation-based and is NOT the complete federal judicial record. Courts post opinions with delay — typically over several days — so a day's digest carries the opinions that became available that day, whatever date each was issued.

5.1 Appellate and National Court Opinions

judicialasylum (model-generated key)civil rights (model-generated key)criminal convictions (model-generated key)

In plain terms Federal courts issued 82 decisions in cases including immigration and asylum appeals, criminal convictions, employment and civil rights claims, contract disputes, and patent matters.

Appellate and national court opinions are summarized; district and bankruptcy opinions are counted in 5.2 and in the Coverage Statement.

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

• Goce Gligorov v. Nation of Brunei, et al (No. 24-07150; filed 2026-08-07) — Goce Gligorov, a Slovenian businessman, sued three corporate entities under civil RICO and common law tort theories, alleging they conspired to destroy his reputation and business after he reported findings of corruption and terrorism financing by Brunei officials. The D.C. Circuit affirmed dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction over the corporate defendants.
• In plain terms A businessman's RICO suit alleging conspiracy to destroy his reputation was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction over corporate defendants.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-caDC-24-07150 / USCOURTS-caDC-24-07150-0 (opens in a new tab)
• National Trust for Historic Preservation v. NPS, et al (No. 26-05123; filed 2026-08-07) — The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking above-ground construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House. The court held that Congress exercises exclusive constitutional authority over federal property in the District of Columbia and that the defendants likely lack statutory authority to construct the ballroom without Congressional authorization. The court maintained an exception for below-ground construction required for security and safety purposes and stayed the decision for fourteen days to permit potential Supreme Court review.
• In plain terms A court blocked above-ground construction of a ballroom at the White House, holding Congress has exclusive authority; underground construction for security and safety remained allowed.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-caDC-26-05123 / USCOURTS-caDC-26-05123-0 (opens in a new tab)
• National Trust for Historic Preservation v. NPS, et al (No. 26-05134; filed 2026-08-07) — The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking above-ground construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House. The court held that Congress exercises exclusive constitutional authority over federal property in the District of Columbia and that the defendants likely lack statutory authority to construct the ballroom without Congressional authorization. The court maintained an exception for below-ground construction required for security and safety purposes and stayed the decision for fourteen days to permit potential Supreme Court review.
• In plain terms A court blocked above-ground construction of a ballroom at the White House, holding Congress has exclusive authority; underground construction for security and safety remained allowed.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-caDC-26-05134 / USCOURTS-caDC-26-05134-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

• Rustico Lacsina v. Todd Blanche (No. 24-03373; filed 2026-08-06) — The Eighth Circuit issued an opinion and entered judgment. Counsel was advised of deadlines and procedures for filing petitions for rehearing.
• In plain terms The Eighth Circuit issued a decision and notified attorneys of the deadlines and procedures for requesting a new hearing.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-24-03373 / USCOURTS-ca8-24-03373-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Kristine Williams v. MO Department of Corrections, et al (No. 25-01270; filed 2026-08-06) — The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion on August 6, 2026, in the appeal of Kristine Williams v. Missouri Department of Corrections et al., with judgment entered in accordance with the opinion. Parties have 14 days from the judgment date to file petitions for rehearing or rehearing en banc in compliance with Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
• In plain terms The appeals court issued an opinion on August 6, 2026; parties have 14 days to request rehearing.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-25-01270 / USCOURTS-ca8-25-01270-0 (opens in a new tab)
• MOSenecaManufacturer, LLC v. MSHR, et al (No. 25-01349; filed 2026-08-07) — The Eighth Circuit issued an opinion and entered judgment in an appeal by MOSenecaManufacturer, LLC against the Missouri State High Court of Review.
• In plain terms The Eighth Circuit decided an appeal by MOSenecaManufacturer, LLC against the Missouri State High Court of Review.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-25-01349 / USCOURTS-ca8-25-01349-0 (opens in a new tab)
• United States v. Tiarra Jones (No. 25-01498; filed 2026-08-06) — The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion on August 6, 2026, in United States v. Tiarra Jones, with judgment entered in accordance with the opinion. Parties have 14 days from the judgment date to file petitions for rehearing or rehearing en banc in compliance with Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
• In plain terms The appeals court issued an opinion on August 6, 2026; parties have 14 days to request rehearing.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-25-01498 / USCOURTS-ca8-25-01498-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Rustico Lacsina v. Todd Blanche (No. 25-01754; filed 2026-08-06) — The Eighth Circuit issued an opinion and entered judgment. Counsel was advised of deadlines and procedures for filing petitions for rehearing.
• In plain terms The Eighth Circuit issued a decision and notified attorneys of the deadlines and procedures for requesting a new hearing.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-25-01754 / USCOURTS-ca8-25-01754-0 (opens in a new tab)
• United States v. Shaquan Willis (No. 25-01834; filed 2026-08-07) — The Eighth Circuit issued an opinion and entered judgment in a criminal appeal by Shaquan Willis against the United States.
• In plain terms The Eighth Circuit decided a criminal appeal by Shaquan Willis against the United States.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-25-01834 / USCOURTS-ca8-25-01834-0 (opens in a new tab)
• United States v. Trevion Dickson (No. 25-02011; filed 2026-08-07) — The Eighth Circuit issued an opinion and entered judgment in a criminal appeal by Trevion Dickson against the United States.
• In plain terms The Eighth Circuit decided a criminal appeal by Trevion Dickson against the United States.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-25-02011 / USCOURTS-ca8-25-02011-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Ana Ponce-Lopez, et al v. Todd Blanche (No. 25-02524; filed 2026-08-07) — The Eighth Circuit issued an opinion and entered judgment in an immigration-related appeal brought by Ana Ponce-Lopez and others against the Attorney General.
• In plain terms The Eighth Circuit decided an immigration appeal by Ana Ponce-Lopez and others against the Attorney General.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-25-02524 / USCOURTS-ca8-25-02524-0 (opens in a new tab)
• United States v. Turner Heinbaugh (No. 25-02729; filed 2026-08-06) — Turner Heinbaugh appealed his sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering under a plea agreement containing an appeal waiver. The Eighth Circuit concluded the appeal waiver was valid and enforceable, and found no non-frivolous issues for appeal outside its scope. The court granted counsel's motion to withdraw and dismissed the appeal.
• In plain terms A defendant's sentence appeal was dismissed because his guilty plea contained a valid appeal waiver with no other issues to raise.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-25-02729 / USCOURTS-ca8-25-02729-0 (opens in a new tab)
• United States v. Andrew Hawkins (No. 26-01159; filed 2026-08-06) — Andrew Hawkins appealed his 300-month sentence after pleading guilty to producing child pornography. The Eighth Circuit concluded the sentence was not unreasonable, finding the district court properly considered the statutory sentencing factors and did not commit a clear error of judgment. The court affirmed the judgment and granted counsel permission to withdraw.
• In plain terms The appeals court upheld a 300-month sentence for producing child pornography as reasonable.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-26-01159 / USCOURTS-ca8-26-01159-0 (opens in a new tab)
• United States v. Sydney Mittan-Ybarra (No. 26-01253; filed 2026-08-06) — Sydney Mittan-Ybarra appealed the revocation of her probation and her sentence of 12 months and 1 day in prison plus 36 months supervised release. The Eighth Circuit concluded the sentence was not an abuse of discretion, finding the district court properly considered the required sentencing factors and imposed a sentence within statutory limits. The court affirmed the judgment and granted counsel's motion to withdraw.
• In plain terms The appeals court upheld a 12-month prison sentence following probation revocation as a proper use of judicial discretion.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca8-26-01253 / USCOURTS-ca8-26-01253-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

• RLI Insurance Company v. John Lehman, et al (No. 24-10600; filed 2026-08-07) — RLI Insurance Company sought a declaratory judgment that its umbrella insurance policy did not cover a claim by policyholders John and Alicia Lehman for injuries sustained in a car accident. The appeals court held that the Lehmans had not satisfied the policy's requirement to exhaust their underlying insurance policy limits, as they received only $50,001 from one underlying carrier's $500,000 limit. The court reversed summary judgment for the Lehmans and directed entry of summary judgment in favor of RLI.
• In plain terms The appeals court reversed summary judgment for the Lehmans and directed entry of summary judgment for RLI, holding that the Lehmans did not exhaust their underlying insurance limits ($50,001 of $500,000).
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca11-24-10600 / USCOURTS-ca11-24-10600-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Kanayo Derhem v. Bay House Miami Condominium Association, et al (No. 24-13378; filed 2026-08-07) — Kanayo Derhem sued a condominium association, its board members, and related parties under the Fair Housing Act and state law, alleging they imposed fines and suspended amenities based on race and sex discrimination. The district court granted summary judgment for the defendants, finding that documented rule violations provided a legitimate basis for the fines and amenity suspensions. The appeals court affirmed, concluding that evidence showed rule violations, rather than discriminatory intent, motivated the defendants' actions.
• In plain terms The appeals court affirmed that the condominium association's fines and amenity suspensions were based on rule violations rather than discriminatory intent.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca11-24-13378 / USCOURTS-ca11-24-13378-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Southeast Development Partners, LLC, et al v. St. Johns County, Florida (No. 24-13385; filed 2026-08-07) — Southeast Development Partners and St. Johns County disputed which party bore responsibility for costs exceeding the estimated $15 million for road improvements required under a development agreement. The district court granted summary judgment to the county, finding the contract unambiguously allocated the excess mitigation costs to the developer. The appeals court affirmed the judgment against the main developer entity but vacated it against an associated company with no contractual obligations and remanded for further proceedings.
• In plain terms The appeals court affirmed the judgment against the main developer for exceeding $15 million road improvement costs but vacated it against an associated company with no contractual obligations.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca11-24-13385 / USCOURTS-ca11-24-13385-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Cristian Ponce (No. 24-13579; filed 2026-08-07) — Cristian Ponce pleaded guilty to drug and firearms offenses as part of a drug-dealing conspiracy. At sentencing, the district court applied a sentencing guideline cross-reference for second-degree murder based on a shooting incident during the conspiracy in which two men died. The appeals court affirmed, rejecting Ponce's argument that the shooting constituted self-defense because Ponce had negligently placed himself in the criminal activity.
• In plain terms The appeals court affirmed the sentencing using the second-degree murder guideline cross-reference for a shooting during the conspiracy, rejecting the self-defense argument.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca11-24-13579 / USCOURTS-ca11-24-13579-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Julian Lopez (No. 25-11870; filed 2026-08-07) — Julian Lopez pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud related to false Medicare claims submitted through One Medical Services. The district court sentenced Lopez based on the total $3.2 million loss caused by the scheme using a guideline that holds defendants responsible for co-conspirators' acts. The appeals court vacated and remanded, finding the government did not present sufficient evidence that Lopez and One Medical jointly undertook the criminal activity necessary to hold him responsible for the entire loss.
• In plain terms The appeals court vacated and remanded, finding insufficient evidence that Lopez and One Medical jointly undertook the criminal activity to hold Lopez responsible for the entire $3.2 million loss.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca11-25-11870 / USCOURTS-ca11-25-11870-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Roy Labare (No. 25-13883; filed 2026-08-07) — Roy Francis Labare's appellate counsel moved to withdraw and filed a brief indicating no arguable issues of merit on appeal. The court independently reviewed the entire record and affirmed Labare's convictions and sentence.
• In plain terms The appeals court affirmed Labare's convictions and sentence after independently reviewing the entire record and finding no arguable issues of merit.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca11-25-13883 / USCOURTS-ca11-25-13883-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

• In re: WAG Acquisition, LLC (No. 24-01971; filed 2026-08-07) — The Federal Circuit affirmed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's decision that claims 1 and 4 of WAG Acquisition's '011 patent (Streaming Media Buffering System) are unpatentable as anticipated by the Hill patent. The court found that Hill's prefetch protocol and buffer manager disclose the claimed limitations regarding requesting media data elements identified by serial number and maintaining records of received elements in a player buffer.
• In plain terms The Federal Circuit affirmed that claims 1 and 4 of the '011 patent are unpatentable as anticipated by the Hill patent's prefetch protocol and buffer manager.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca13-24-01971 / USCOURTS-ca13-24-01971-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Guzman v. Collins (No. 25-01397; filed 2026-08-07) — The Federal Circuit affirmed in part and dismissed in part Maria Guzman's appeal of a decision denying an earlier effective date for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits after her veteran husband's death. The court held that her clear and unmistakable error claim was precluded by prior decisions on the same underlying issue, and dismissed the equitable estoppel argument as a factual application outside the court's jurisdiction.
• In plain terms The Federal Circuit affirmed that Maria Guzman's clear and unmistakable error claim was precluded by prior decisions and dismissed the equitable estoppel argument as outside the court's jurisdiction.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca13-25-01397 / USCOURTS-ca13-25-01397-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Ley v. Collins (No. 25-01425; filed 2026-08-07) — The Federal Circuit affirmed the Veterans Court's decision denying Richard Ley an earlier effective date for disability compensation for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The court held that equitable estoppel is not available to override the statutory effective date limits under 38 U.S.C. § 5110, that the informed consent statute does not serve as a precondition to enforcement of those limits, and that Ley did not demonstrate active government interference with his access to the VA benefits system.
• In plain terms The Federal Circuit affirmed that equitable estoppel is not available to override statutory effective date limits for Richard Ley's disability compensation and that he showed no active government interference.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca13-25-01425 / USCOURTS-ca13-25-01425-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

• Welsh v. Williams (No. 24-11108; filed 2026-08-07) — The Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of Lonnie Kade Welsh's civil rights claims arising from a 2020 incident at a civil commitment center and imposed a $500 sanction for frivolous litigation. Welsh, who has filed numerous federal actions challenging his confinement and been designated a vexatious litigant, presented no nonfrivolous issues on appeal. The court barred him from filing in the court without permission until payment and warned of additional sanctions for future frivolous filings.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of Lonnie Kade Welsh's civil rights claims from a 2020 civil commitment center incident and imposed a $500 sanction for frivolous litigation.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-24-11108 / USCOURTS-ca5-24-11108-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Aguirre-Gallegos (No. 24-20522; filed 2026-08-07) — The Fifth Circuit dismissed the appeal of Isidoso Aguirre-Gallegos in his criminal case, granting counsel's motion to withdraw pursuant to the Anders standard. Appellate counsel found the appeal presented no nonfrivolous issues for review.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit dismissed Isidoso Aguirre-Gallegos's appeal, with appellate counsel finding no nonfrivolous issues for review.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-24-20522 / USCOURTS-ca5-24-20522-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Williams (No. 25-10322; filed 2026-08-07) — Paul Anthony Williams appealed his 77-month sentence for possessing a firearm as a felon, challenging whether his 2006 California robbery conviction qualified as a crime of violence under the Sentencing Guidelines and whether his uncounseled California drug conviction should have been counted in his criminal history. The Fifth Circuit affirmed, concluding that California robbery qualifies as an enumerated crime of violence and that no plain error resulted from including the drug conviction in his criminal history.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit affirmed Paul Anthony Williams's 77-month sentence for possessing a firearm as a felon, holding his California robbery qualifies as a crime of violence.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-25-10322 / USCOURTS-ca5-25-10322-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Gore v. Higher Educ Loan Auth (No. 25-10657; filed 2026-08-07) — The Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of Terrence Gore's pro se action against Trans Union and MOHELA for reporting false credit information, finding his claims barred by res judicata from prior litigation on the same bankruptcy issue. The court also upheld the district court's award of $32,006.30 in attorneys' fees to Trans Union under Texas law, which provides for mandatory fee awards to prevailing parties without requiring a showing of bad faith.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of Terrence Gore's action against Trans Union and MOHELA for false credit reporting and upheld the $32,006.30 attorneys' fee award to Trans Union.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-25-10657 / USCOURTS-ca5-25-10657-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Cunningham v. PlainsCapital Bank (No. 25-20363; filed 2026-08-07) — The Fifth Circuit affirmed that Gary Lee Cunningham signed an enforceable arbitration agreement with PlainsCapital Bank covering claims arising from a fraud scheme involving artificial intelligence voice cloning that resulted in unauthorized fund transfers of over $20,000. The court vacated and remanded Cunningham's claims against Pathward, finding he had stated a plausible claim for relief and that the district court erred in dismissing those claims without considering his amended complaint.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit affirmed an enforceable arbitration agreement between Gary Lee Cunningham and PlainsCapital Bank for claims from AI voice cloning fraud totaling over $20,000 and vacated claims against Pathward.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-25-20363 / USCOURTS-ca5-25-20363-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Thunderhorse v. Collier (No. 25-20416; filed 2026-08-07) — Iron Thunderhorse, a Texas prisoner, appealed the dismissal of a civil action against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Executive Director alleging violations of state, international, and federal law regarding treatment of elderly, disabled, and chronically ill prisoners. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal, finding that Thunderhorse failed to adequately brief his arguments and therefore abandoned his challenges to the district court's rulings on failure to state a claim and class certification.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of Iron Thunderhorse's civil action alleging violations in treatment of elderly and disabled prisoners, finding he abandoned his arguments by inadequate briefing.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-25-20416 / USCOURTS-ca5-25-20416-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Starr (No. 25-20439; filed 2026-08-07) — The Fifth Circuit dismissed the appeal of Danial Starr after appointed counsel moved to withdraw pursuant to Anders v. California, finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit dismissed Danial Starr's appeal, with appointed counsel finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-25-20439 / USCOURTS-ca5-25-20439-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Mendoza (No. 25-50072; filed 2026-08-07) — Ignacio Sanchez Mendoza III was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment after pleading guilty to receipt of child pornography, with a sentencing enhancement based on a prior state conviction for possession of child pornography. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the applicability of the sentencing enhancement, rejecting Mendoza's argument that Texas's broader definition of child pornography rendered the enhancement inapplicable, and affirmed restitution to eleven victims while vacating the restitution order for three victims for remand proceedings.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit affirmed Ignacio Sanchez Mendoza III's 15-year sentence for child pornography receipt, the sentencing enhancement, and restitution to eleven victims while vacating restitution for three victims for remand.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-25-50072 / USCOURTS-ca5-25-50072-0 (opens in a new tab)
• U.S. Bank Trust v. Walden (No. 25-50983; filed 2026-08-07) — Jerry and Tamatha Walden appealed a judgment authorizing U.S. Bank Trust National Association to foreclose on their property, but the Fifth Circuit affirmed, finding that the Waldens forfeited most arguments by inadequate briefing and that U.S. Bank did not violate the party presentation principle by receiving relief it had requested.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit affirmed authorization for U.S. Bank Trust to foreclose on Jerry and Tamatha Walden's property, finding they forfeited most arguments by inadequate briefing.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-25-50983 / USCOURTS-ca5-25-50983-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Lightfoot v. Oak Bend Med Ctr (No. 26-20056; filed 2026-08-07) — Jan Elizabeth Lightfoot appealed the dismissal of her complaint against Oak Bend Medical Center and its staff under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), raising nine claims including allegations of structural error, jurisdictional failure, judicial bias, and privacy rights violations. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal, finding no abuse of discretion or procedural error in the district court's actions.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of Jan Elizabeth Lightfoot's complaint against Oak Bend Medical Center with nine claims including structural error and privacy rights violations.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-26-20056 / USCOURTS-ca5-26-20056-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Francisco (No. 26-30052; filed 2026-08-07) — The Fifth Circuit dismissed the appeal of Brandon Jermaine Francisco after appointed counsel moved to withdraw pursuant to Anders v. California, finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review, and remanded to the district court to correct clerical errors in the amended judgment.
• In plain terms The Fifth Circuit dismissed Brandon Jermaine Francisco's appeal, with appointed counsel finding no nonfrivolous issues, and remanded to correct clerical errors in the amended judgment.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca5-26-30052 / USCOURTS-ca5-26-30052-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

• Guzman v. Blanche (No. 25-01351; filed 2026-08-07) — A Salvadoran national challenged the Board of Immigration Appeals' rejection of her asylum application, claiming persecution based on gang robberies and threats motivated by her family's report of a crime to authorities. The First Circuit affirmed the BIA's finding that substantial evidence supported the conclusion that the claimed persecution lacked nexus to a statutorily protected category, and denied the petition.
• In plain terms The First Circuit upheld the Board of Immigration Appeals' rejection of an asylum application from a Salvadoran national, finding the claimed persecution did not fall within legally protected categories.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca1-25-01351 / USCOURTS-ca1-25-01351-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, et al v. USDA, et al (No. 25-01428; filed 2026-08-07) — Nonprofit organizations challenged federal agencies' implementation of an Executive Order pausing disbursement of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act funding pending review for consistency with stated energy production policies. The First Circuit affirmed in part and vacated in part a preliminary injunction blocking the categorical freeze of this funding.
• In plain terms The First Circuit partially upheld and partially overturned a temporary court order blocking the federal freeze of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act funding.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca1-25-01428 / USCOURTS-ca1-25-01428-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

• US v. Arnel Hategekimana (No. 23-04206; filed 2026-08-07) — Arnel Hategekimana was convicted following a bench trial on six counts stemming from a controlled narcotics purchase in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The Fourth Circuit affirmed his conviction, finding no reversible error in the district court's denial of his motion to suppress without an evidentiary hearing or in the admission of certain trial testimony.
• In plain terms The Fourth Circuit affirmed Arnel Hategekimana's conviction on six counts from a controlled narcotics purchase, finding no reversible error in the district court's denial of the motion to suppress.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca4-23-04206 / USCOURTS-ca4-23-04206-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Lynsey Porter v. Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. (No. 25-01970; filed 2026-08-07) — The Fourth Circuit affirmed as modified a district court's dismissal of Lynsey Porter's whistleblower retaliation and wrongful termination claims against Blue Ridge Bankshares and an individual defendant. The court agreed that Porter failed to allege sufficient facts to state a claim for relief and clarified that the whistleblower retaliation claim was dismissed with prejudice.
• In plain terms The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Lynsey Porter's whistleblower retaliation and wrongful termination claims, finding insufficient facts to state a claim for relief.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca4-25-01970 / USCOURTS-ca4-25-01970-0 (opens in a new tab)
• US v. Marshall Grady (No. 25-04385; filed 2026-08-07) — Marshall Grady, who pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment plus five years' supervised release. The Fourth Circuit affirmed, finding no material discrepancy between the warrantless search condition the district court orally pronounced at sentencing and the condition as written in the judgment.
• In plain terms The Fourth Circuit affirmed Marshall Grady's 120-month sentence for robbery with a firearm, finding no material discrepancy in the warrantless search condition between oral pronouncement and written judgment.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca4-25-04385 / USCOURTS-ca4-25-04385-0 (opens in a new tab)
• US v. Jermar Hardin (No. 26-04047; filed 2026-08-07) — The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's revocation of Jermar Hardin's supervised release and his 12-month imprisonment sentence. Hardin challenged the revocation claiming the government had agreed not to proceed on one alleged violation and that insufficient evidence supported the finding. The court found that the district court followed required procedures and did not err in its factual findings or sentencing determination.
• In plain terms The Fourth Circuit affirmed the revocation of Jermar Hardin's supervised release and 12-month imprisonment sentence, finding the district court followed required procedures and did not err in its findings.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca4-26-04047 / USCOURTS-ca4-26-04047-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

• Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, et al v. Kristin K. Mayes, et al (No. 22-16490; filed 2024-09-20) — Three nonprofit organizations appealed a preliminary injunction blocking two Arizona election law amendments. The Ninth Circuit held that the organizations lacked Article III standing to challenge a voter-registration cancellation provision but retained standing to challenge a felony provision for providing a 'mechanism for voting,' which the court found likely did not criminalize voter outreach or registration.
• In plain terms Nonprofits lacked standing to challenge a voter-registration cancellation law but could challenge a felony provision for voter registration activity.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca9-22-16490 / USCOURTS-ca9-22-16490-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, et al v. Kristin K. Mayes, et al (No. 22-16490; filed 2026-08-07) — The Ninth Circuit, sitting en banc, affirmed that voter-registration organizations lack Article III standing to challenge Arizona's voter-registration cancellation provision but retain standing to challenge a felony provision for providing a 'mechanism for voting,' which the court held the organizations would not likely succeed in challenging.
• In plain terms Nonprofits lacked standing to challenge voter-registration cancellation but retained standing to challenge a felony provision they would not likely prevail on.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca9-22-16490 / USCOURTS-ca9-22-16490-1 (opens in a new tab)
• USA V. DOYLE (No. 24-3227; filed 2026-08-07) — Patrick Edward Doyle appealed his conviction for possession of child pornography and 120-month sentence. The Ninth Circuit assumed the district court erred in not individually reviewing each image under Federal Rule of Evidence 403 but found the error harmless, and affirmed the denial of his motion for a new trial and his sentence.
• In plain terms A child pornography conviction and 120-month sentence were upheld despite a potential error in evidence review that was deemed harmless.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca9-24-3227 / USCOURTS-ca9-24-3227-0 (opens in a new tab)
• PACIFICORP V. SIXKILLER (No. 24-4803; filed 2026-08-07) — PacifiCorp appealed dismissal of its claim that Washington's Climate Commitment Act violates the Dormant Commerce Clause by allocating no-cost carbon-emission allowances only to electricity serving in-state customers. The Ninth Circuit affirmed, finding PacifiCorp failed to plausibly allege that exported and in-state electricity are similarly situated regulatory categories.
• In plain terms A utility's challenge to Washington's carbon allowance law failed; courts found insufficient evidence that exported and in-state electricity are comparable.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca9-24-4803 / USCOURTS-ca9-24-4803-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

• USA v. Terry Ferguson (No. 23-03198; filed 2026-08-07) — The Seventh Circuit affirmed denial of a motion to vacate sentence based on ineffective assistance of counsel, finding no evidence of an actual conflict of interest between the defendant's attorney and the defendant despite government agents having solicited the defendant's cooperation against the attorney. The court also dismissed the defendant's challenge to denial of motions to dismiss for vindictive or selective prosecution as waived by an appellate waiver included in the defendant's plea agreement.
• In plain terms A court upheld a conviction, finding no conflict of interest with the defendant's attorney and dismissing waived challenges to prosecution decisions.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca7-23-03198 / USCOURTS-ca7-23-03198-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Maria DiFranco v. City of Chicago (No. 24-03164; filed 2026-08-07) — Marco DiFranco, a Chicago police officer with cystic fibrosis, contracted and died from COVID-19. His widow sued the City of Chicago under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Illinois law, alleging the City failed to timely accommodate his disability and reassign him to minimize virus exposure. The appellate court affirmed summary judgment for the City, finding the evidence supported that DiFranco received an accommodation and that his illness did not result from exposure occurring after requesting reassignment.
• In plain terms A widow's disability discrimination suit over her husband's COVID-19 death was dismissed after the city provided workplace accommodation.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca7-24-03164 / USCOURTS-ca7-24-03164-0 (opens in a new tab)
• G. T., et al v. Samsung Electronics America, Incorporated, et al (No. 25-01120; filed 2026-08-07) — The appellate court affirmed dismissal of a class action against Samsung Electronics for alleged violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. The case involved Samsung's photo gallery application's automatic creation of facial geometry templates from photographs stored on Samsung devices. The court found that plaintiffs failed to plausibly allege that Samsung gained or exerted control over the biometric data as required by the statute.
• In plain terms A class action against Samsung over automatic facial geometry templates from a photo gallery app was dismissed for insufficient evidence of data control.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca7-25-01120 / USCOURTS-ca7-25-01120-0 (opens in a new tab)
• CSX Transportation, Inc. v. Zayo Group, LLC (No. 25-01670; filed 2026-08-07) — CSX Transportation sued Zayo Group for installing fiber optic cables under and above railroad corridors without authorization or payment of licensing fees. The appellate court affirmed that CSX lacked standing to assert trespass and rent claims because the cable installations occurred above or below the railroad surface rather than on it. The court also affirmed that claims for older installations were time-barred under Indiana's statute of limitations.
• In plain terms A railroad lacked standing to sue for cables installed above or below its right-of-way, and older claims were time-barred.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca7-25-01670 / USCOURTS-ca7-25-01670-0 (opens in a new tab)
• James March v. Town of Grand Chute, et al (No. 25-01755; filed 2026-08-07) — James March, a town administrator, sued the Town of Grand Chute for firing him in retaliation for cooperating with a Wisconsin DOJ investigation into board member Ronald Wolff. The appellate court affirmed summary judgment for the defendants, concluding the supervisors were entitled to qualified immunity because existing precedent on firing "policymaking officials" provided insufficient clarity about whether such termination violated the First Amendment.
• In plain terms A town administrator's retaliation suit over his firing for cooperating with a state investigation was dismissed; officials had qualified immunity.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca7-25-01755 / USCOURTS-ca7-25-01755-0 (opens in a new tab)
• James March v. Ronald Wolff, Jr. (No. 25-01808; filed 2026-08-07) — James March, a town administrator, sued the Town of Grand Chute for firing him in retaliation for cooperating with a Wisconsin DOJ investigation into board member Ronald Wolff. The appellate court affirmed summary judgment for the defendants, concluding the supervisors were entitled to qualified immunity because existing precedent on firing "policymaking officials" provided insufficient clarity about whether such termination violated the First Amendment.
• In plain terms A town administrator's retaliation suit over his firing for cooperating with a state investigation was dismissed; officials had qualified immunity.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca7-25-01808 / USCOURTS-ca7-25-01808-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Terry Ferguson v. USA (No. 25-02081; filed 2026-08-07) — Terry Ferguson appealed his conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and firearm possession, claiming ineffective assistance of counsel due to a conflict of interest with his attorney. The appellate court affirmed, finding no actual conflict of interest affecting counsel's performance. Ferguson's appeal of the denial of motions to dismiss for vindictive or selective prosecution was dismissed as waived by his plea agreement.
• In plain terms A cocaine conspiracy and firearm conviction was upheld; courts found no conflict of interest with counsel and dismissed waived claims.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca7-25-02081 / USCOURTS-ca7-25-02081-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Paul Johnson v. Ridge Tool Manufacturing Company, Inc. (No. 25-02604; filed 2026-08-07) — Paul Johnson appealed his loss in a product-liability suit against Ridge Tool Manufacturing over injuries from a drain-cleaning machine. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's exclusion of Johnson's expert witnesses for employing unreliable methods and therefore affirmed summary judgment for Ridge Tool under Federal Rule of Evidence 702's gatekeeping standards.
• In plain terms A product liability suit over drain-cleaning machine injuries was dismissed after courts excluded the plaintiff's expert witnesses as unreliable.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca7-25-02604 / USCOURTS-ca7-25-02604-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

• USA v. Evan Galasso (No. 25-03507; filed 2026-08-07) — The Sixth Circuit affirmed a conviction where the defendant made statements during a law enforcement investigation—some before receiving Miranda warnings and some after—into possession of child pornography. The district court had suppressed only part of the defendant's statements from the vehicle interrogation but admitted the subsequent statements made at the FBI office after Miranda warnings were given. The appellate court found no constitutional error in the trial court's partial suppression ruling.
• In plain terms The Sixth Circuit affirmed a conviction in a child pornography case where the district court partially suppressed statements before Miranda warnings and admitted subsequent statements made after warnings.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca6-25-03507 / USCOURTS-ca6-25-03507-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Leandro Spindola v. Todd Blanche (No. 25-03600; filed 2026-08-07) — The Sixth Circuit rejected a petition for review by a Brazilian citizen challenging the Board of Immigration Appeals' application of the serious nonpolitical crime bar to his asylum and withholding-of-removal applications. The court upheld the bar's application based on substantial evidence that the petitioner shot and injured someone in Brazil during a dispute over family property, rejecting his arguments that he lacked specific intent and acted in defense of others. The court also affirmed that the petitioner failed to demonstrate sufficient likelihood of torture with official consent or acquiescence to warrant relief under the Convention Against Torture.
• In plain terms A Brazilian citizen's asylum claim was rejected after he shot and injured someone in a family property dispute; courts rejected his arguments about intent and self-defense.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca6-25-03600 / USCOURTS-ca6-25-03600-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Mark Pannek, et al v. U.S. Bank National Association (No. 25-03706; filed 2026-08-07) — The Sixth Circuit partially reversed a summary judgment grant in a Title VII employment case where employees alleged retaliation and sexual harassment after one employee filed an ethics complaint against a supervisor. The court found a factual dispute existed on the retaliation claim requiring jury resolution, but the hostile-work-environment claim failed because the employer had available affirmative defenses to vicarious liability for supervisor misconduct. The court affirmed the employment terminations did not violate clearly established employment law.
• In plain terms A court found enough evidence for a jury to decide a retaliation claim but upheld summary judgment on hostile work environment and other employment claims.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca6-25-03706 / USCOURTS-ca6-25-03706-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Charles Klein, Jr., et al v. USPS, et al (No. 25-03965; filed 2026-08-07) — The Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of a constitutional equal-protection claim brought by residents denied direct mail delivery to their rural property, holding the Postal Regulatory Commission possesses exclusive jurisdiction over complaints regarding Postal Service service standards. The court applied the Thunder Basin framework and determined the administrative review scheme channeled such disputes away from district courts, even where constitutional claims were involved.
• In plain terms A court dismissed residents' constitutional claim that the Postal Service denied them mail delivery, saying the Postal Regulatory Commission has exclusive jurisdiction.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca6-25-03965 / USCOURTS-ca6-25-03965-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Cody Henderson v. Village of New Holland, et al (No. 26-03051; filed 2026-08-07) — The Sixth Circuit reversed the denial of qualified immunity in a Fourth Amendment case, holding that police officers did not violate the defendant's constitutional rights through traffic stops for speeding and expired vehicle registration. The court found the officers had probable cause to conduct the initial traffic stop and that the subsequent vehicle impoundment and inventory search that revealed hemp and CBD products did not violate clearly established law.
• In plain terms A court reversed a ruling against police officers, finding their traffic stops for speeding and expired registration did not violate constitutional rights.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca6-26-03051 / USCOURTS-ca6-26-03051-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

• United States v. Hahn (No. 24-02069; filed 2024-06-26) — The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal in United States v. Hahn for lack of prosecution pursuant to Tenth Circuit Rule 42.1.
• In plain terms The Tenth Circuit dismissed the appeal in United States v. Hahn because the appellant failed to pursue it.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-24-02069 / USCOURTS-ca10-24-02069-0 (opens in a new tab)
• United States v. Hahn (No. 24-02069; filed 2026-08-07) — Marcus Hahn challenged his 2001 convictions on controlled substance distribution charges based on Sessions v. Dimaya, which invalidated part of the statutory definition of 'crime of violence.' The Tenth Circuit affirmed dismissal of his habeas motion, finding it was filed outside the one-year statute of limitations and he did not qualify for the miscarriage-of-justice exception because he could not demonstrate actual innocence of the more serious sexual exploitation charges the government dismissed as part of his plea agreement.
• In plain terms The Tenth Circuit rejected Marcus Hahn's petition challenging his 2001 convictions because he filed it too late and couldn't prove innocence of the sexual exploitation charges dropped in his plea deal.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-24-02069 / USCOURTS-ca10-24-02069-1 (opens in a new tab)
• Masek v. Peterson (No. 25-01376; filed 2026-08-06) — A passenger sued a driver for negligence following a traffic accident in Colorado state court. The jury returned a verdict in the driver's favor, and the appellate court affirmed the denial of the passenger's motion for a new trial, finding the jury verdict was supported by the evidence.
• In plain terms A passenger's negligence lawsuit against a driver for a traffic accident was rejected by a jury, and the appeals court upheld that decision.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-25-01376 / USCOURTS-ca10-25-01376-0 (opens in a new tab)
• United States v. Hernandez (No. 25-02084; filed 2026-08-07) — Anthony Hernandez, a federal pretrial detainee, was convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 111 of assaulting an independent contractor at a private correctional facility contracted by the U.S. Marshals Service. The Tenth Circuit affirmed the conviction, holding that the contractor was assisting the Marshals Service in performing a federal function when assaulted, placing the contractor within the protection of the statute.
• In plain terms The Tenth Circuit upheld Anthony Hernandez's conviction for assaulting a contractor at a private jail, finding the contractor was performing federal functions and protected by law.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-25-02084 / USCOURTS-ca10-25-02084-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Scannell Properties #516, et al v. City of Edwardsville, Kansas, et al (No. 25-03123; filed 2026-08-06) — Businesses challenged a city ordinance restricting heavy truck access to their property. The city repealed the original ordinance and enacted a new version that materially changed the restrictions while the appeal was pending, rendering the appeal moot.
• In plain terms While businesses appealed a city's truck restrictions ordinance, the city repealed it and passed a new version, ending the lawsuit as moot.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-25-03123 / USCOURTS-ca10-25-03123-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Scholl, et al v. Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, et al (No. 25-05053; filed 2026-08-06) — Parents sued a specialty pharmacy for negligence after it delayed filling a prescription for their daughter's treatment of a rare congenital condition requiring prior insurance authorization. The appellate court affirmed summary judgment for the pharmacy, finding it owed no duty to fill the prescription during the period when prior authorization had not yet been obtained.
• In plain terms Parents' negligence lawsuit against a pharmacy for delaying a prescription while insurance authorization was pending was rejected because the pharmacy owed no duty during that wait.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-25-05053 / USCOURTS-ca10-25-05053-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Ruiz Diaz v. Mullin, et al (No. 26-01198; filed 2026-08-06) — The court granted respondents' unopposed motion to voluntarily dismiss an appeal.
• In plain terms The court dismissed an appeal after both sides agreed to end it.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-26-01198 / USCOURTS-ca10-26-01198-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Zito v. Nevada, et al (No. 26-01209; filed 2026-08-06) — An appeal was dismissed for lack of prosecution in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• In plain terms The Tenth Circuit dismissed an appeal that was not being pursued.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-26-01209 / USCOURTS-ca10-26-01209-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Singh v. Valdez, et al (No. 26-01232; filed 2026-08-06) — The court granted respondents' unopposed motion to voluntarily dismiss an appeal.
• In plain terms The court dismissed an appeal after both sides agreed to end it.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-26-01232 / USCOURTS-ca10-26-01232-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Tunson-Harrington v. Adams County Sheriffs, et al (No. 26-01276; filed 2026-08-07) — The Tenth Circuit dismissed Jessie Tunson-Harrington's appeal for lack of jurisdiction because the notice of appeal was filed in July 2026, approximately nine months after the September 2023 deadline. Federal rules require civil appeals to be filed within 30 days of the district court's order.
• In plain terms The Tenth Circuit dismissed Jessie Tunson-Harrington's appeal because it was filed in July 2026, nine months after the September 2023 deadline; federal rules require appeals within 30 days.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-26-01276 / USCOURTS-ca10-26-01276-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Lopez Vasquez v. Blanche, et al (No. 26-02123; filed 2026-08-06) — The Tenth Circuit granted an unopposed motion to dismiss an appeal filed by the respondent-appellants.
• In plain terms The Tenth Circuit dismissed an appeal at the respondent-appellants' request without opposition.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-26-02123 / USCOURTS-ca10-26-02123-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Emrit v. Carpenter, et al (No. 26-03153; filed 2026-08-06) — The court dismissed an appeal for lack of prosecution.
• In plain terms The court dismissed an appeal because the appellant did not pursue it.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-26-03153 / USCOURTS-ca10-26-03153-0 (opens in a new tab)
• In re: Battle (No. 26-05097; filed 2026-08-07) — Dovell Battle, an Oklahoma inmate sentenced to 120 years in 2003, sought authorization to file a second or successive federal habeas petition based on McGirt v. Oklahoma, which addresses state court jurisdiction over crimes on tribal lands. The Tenth Circuit denied authorization, holding that McGirt did not announce a new rule of constitutional law and lack of jurisdiction does not establish factual innocence.
• In plain terms The Tenth Circuit denied Dovell Battle's request to file another petition claiming the state court lacked jurisdiction over crimes on tribal lands, finding the case didn't establish factual innocence.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-26-05097 / USCOURTS-ca10-26-05097-0 (opens in a new tab)
• United States v. Trimmer (No. 26-08013; filed 2026-08-07) — The Tenth Circuit granted Jason Trimmer's motion for voluntary dismissal of his appeal after he filed a supplemental motion complying with Tenth Circuit Rule 42.3.
• In plain terms The Tenth Circuit granted Jason Trimmer's motion to withdraw his appeal after he complied with Tenth Circuit Rule 42.3.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-26-08013 / USCOURTS-ca10-26-08013-0 (opens in a new tab)
• In re: Armajo, et al (No. 26-08031; filed 2026-08-07) — The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals denied authorization for a second or successive habeas petition by Charles Alfred Armajo, Jr., who was convicted in 2019 of sexual abuse of a child in the second degree. Armajo's proposed claims, including assertions of ineffective assistance of counsel and Brady violations, did not meet the statutory requirements for filing successive habeas petitions under 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b), as they neither relied on a new rule of constitutional law made retroactive nor established actual innocence by clear and convincing evidence.
• In plain terms The Tenth Circuit denied Charles Alfred Armajo Jr.'s request to file another petition raising ineffective counsel and Brady violation claims, as they didn't establish factual innocence or rely on new constitutional law.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca10-26-08031 / USCOURTS-ca10-26-08031-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

• Ildar Niyazov v. Attorney General United States of America (No. 24-03168; filed 2026-08-06) — The Third Circuit Court of Appeals granted Ildar Niyazov's petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of his asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture protection. The court found the immigration judge failed to adequately develop the record on evidence Niyazov presented regarding ethnic discrimination and a suspicious automobile crash that killed his sister. The court vacated the BIA's order and remanded for a new hearing before the immigration judge.
• In plain terms The appeals court reversed denial of asylum protection because the immigration judge failed to fully examine evidence of ethnic discrimination and a car crash.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca3-24-03168 / USCOURTS-ca3-24-03168-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Yoke Tan v. Allstate Insurance Co (No. 24-03180; filed 2026-08-07) — The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Allstate Insurance Company in a breach-of-contract suit brought by Yoke Tiong Tan, who sought coverage for fire damage to a Philadelphia home he used for short-term residential rentals. The court found that the policy required the house to be 'principally used as a private residence,' but Tan offered all five bedrooms for rent with guests present at the time of the fire, establishing commercial rather than residential use.
• In plain terms The Third Circuit upheld Allstate's refusal to cover fire damage to Yoke Tan's Philadelphia home because he rented out all five bedrooms commercially, not using it as a private residence as his policy required.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca3-24-03180 / USCOURTS-ca3-24-03180-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Delrico Clyburn (No. 25-01465; filed 2026-08-06) — The Third Circuit affirmed the district court's revocation of supervised release for a defendant previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin. Violations included commission of crimes and firearm possession following a domestic incident, supported by officer testimony and bodycam video. The 27-month prison sentence was upheld.
• In plain terms The Third Circuit upheld revocation of supervised release and a 27-month sentence for a heroin conspiracy defendant whose violations included crimes and firearm possession after a domestic incident, based on officer testimony and bodycam evidence.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca3-25-01465 / USCOURTS-ca3-25-01465-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Arefin Chowdhury v. Attorney General United States of America (No. 25-01892; filed 2026-08-06) — The Third Circuit denied Arefin Chowdhury's petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision upholding his conviction as a bar to asylum and withholding of removal. The court affirmed that Chowdhury's conviction for endangering the welfare of a child and the BIA's finding that he was unlikely to be tortured if returned to Bangladesh precluded relief from removal. The court also determined that Chowdhury's motion to remand was not properly filed and therefore could not be considered.
• In plain terms The appeals court upheld denial of asylum because a conviction and likelihood of torture findings in Bangladesh both prevented relief.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca3-25-01892 / USCOURTS-ca3-25-01892-0 (opens in a new tab)
• USA v. Randall Hayes (No. 25-01981; filed 2026-08-06) — The Third Circuit affirmed revocation of supervised release for a defendant serving a term for receiving child pornography, based on repeated violations of program guidelines over eleven years. A three-month prison sentence and ten-year supervised release term with restrictions on internet and social media use were upheld.
• In plain terms The Third Circuit upheld revocation of supervised release and a three-month sentence for a child pornography defendant whose eleven years of program violations led to a ten-year supervised release with internet and social media restrictions.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca3-25-01981 / USCOURTS-ca3-25-01981-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Martin and Harris Private Ltd v. Merck & Co Inc (No. 25-02085; filed 2026-08-06) — The Third Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal on forum non conveniens grounds in Martin and Harris Private Limited's breach-of-contract suit against Merck & Co., Inc. regarding termination of an exclusive pharmaceutical distribution arrangement for India. The court found that India was an adequate alternative forum despite M&H's claims of delays in the Bombay High Court and that the balance of public and private interest factors favored dismissal to the Indian court where the original action had been pending since 2010.
• In plain terms The appeals court upheld dismissal of a contract lawsuit, finding India an adequate forum where the case was already pending.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca3-25-02085 / USCOURTS-ca3-25-02085-0 (opens in a new tab)
• S.A.S.B. CORP v. Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc, et al (No. 25-02302; filed 2026-08-07) — The Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed dismissal of a Telephone Consumer Protection Act claim brought by a pharmacy against Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries for sending an unsolicited fax advertising Xarelto and the Janssen CarePath patient support program. The court held that the fax constitutes an advertisement under the TCPA because it promotes a commercial product by emphasizing its affordability through the CarePath program, satisfying the statutory definition of advertising material with profit as an aim.
• In plain terms The Third Circuit revived a pharmacy's lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries for sending an unsolicited fax advertising Xarelto and a patient support program, finding it was a prohibited advertisement promoting a commercial product.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca3-25-02302 / USCOURTS-ca3-25-02302-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Dameon Allen v. Attorney General United States of America (No. 25-02836; filed 2026-08-06) — The Third Circuit denied Dameon Allen's petition for review of a removal order entered by the Board of Immigration Appeals after Allen was convicted of attempting to induce a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. The court affirmed that Allen's conviction constitutes the aggravated felony of sexual abuse of a minor under immigration law and rejected his constitutional and procedural challenges to the removal. Allen, a lawful permanent resident since 2009, was ordered removed to Jamaica.
• In plain terms The appeals court upheld removal of a lawful permanent resident convicted of sexual abuse of a minor to Jamaica.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-06)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca3-25-02836 / USCOURTS-ca3-25-02836-0 (opens in a new tab)
• Jason Woodall v. Municipality of Monroeville, et al (No. 25-02867; filed 2026-08-07) — The Third Circuit Court of Appeals summarily affirmed dismissal of civil rights claims brought by Jason Michael Woodall against the Municipality of Monroeville, police officers, and other defendants relating to two 2019 traffic stops. The court upheld dismissal based on statutory limitations periods, failure to establish malicious prosecution or fabrication of evidence, lack of supervisory or municipal liability, and immunity protections for prosecutors and judges.
• In plain terms The Third Circuit upheld dismissal of Jason Woodall's civil rights claims from 2019 traffic stops against Monroeville and police officers due to statute of limitations, immunity protections, and lack of evidence of malicious prosecution.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-01 — appellate court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-07)
• Source: USCOURTS-ca3-25-02867 / USCOURTS-ca3-25-02867-0 (opens in a new tab)

United States Court of International Trade

• NURA USA, LLC v. United States (No. 1:24-cv-00182; filed 2026-08-05) — The U.S. Court of International Trade entered a sealed document on the docket in NURA USA, LLC v. United States and served it upon the parties on August 5, 2026. Service was completed by mail and personal delivery to the Department of Justice.
• In plain terms The U.S. Court of International Trade filed a sealed document in the NURA USA v. United States case and delivered it to the parties on August 5, 2026.
• Included because: USCOURTS-SEL-02 — national court opinion (all listed) (document dated 2026-08-05)
• Source: USCOURTS-cit-1_24-cv-00182 / USCOURTS-cit-1_24-cv-00182-0 (opens in a new tab)

5.2 Counts by Court Category

Archive-window disclosure (rule USCOURTS-FETCH-01): 26615 USCOURTS package(s) have been listed in delta syncs but fell outside the 7-day archive window and were not fetched (global running count across all syncs, not limited to this date).

Official press releases and statements the agencies themselves date on 2026-08-08 (sources listed in the source guide). These are the agencies' own announcements — official advocacy, quoted and attributed, not findings of this digest. Agency web content can be edited or removed without notice; captures and hashes are preserved per the provenance policy.

FDA Email Updates (email)

• The FDA Is Waiting to Hear From You — dated 2026-08-08 by the agency
• Included because: AGENCYPR-SEL-01 — official agency release dated this day by the agency (all such releases from active sources are listed; titles only in the pilot)
• Source: agency email bulletin to this project's subscription, captured and DKIM-verified (the bulletin named no canonical page)

FSIS Recalls and Public Health Alerts (email)

• FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Various Meat and Poultry Products Containing FDA-Regulated Jalapeños That Have Been Recalled Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination (opens in a new tab) — dated 2026-08-08 by the agency
• Included because: AGENCYPR-SEL-01 — official agency release dated this day by the agency (all such releases from active sources are listed; titles only in the pilot)
• Source: agency email bulletin to this project's subscription, captured and DKIM-verified
• Shan Distribution Network, Inc. Recalls Ineligible Frozen Siluriformes Breaded Fish Fillet and Stick Products Imported from the United Arab Emirates (opens in a new tab) — dated 2026-08-08 by the agency
• Included because: AGENCYPR-SEL-01 — official agency release dated this day by the agency (all such releases from active sources are listed; titles only in the pilot)
• Source: agency email bulletin to this project's subscription, captured and DKIM-verified

NASA News Releases

• APOD: 2026 August 8 – A Messier Moment for Tempel 2 (opens in a new tab) — dated 2026-08-08 by the agency
• Included because: AGENCYPR-SEL-01 — official agency release dated this day by the agency (all such releases from active sources are listed; titles only in the pilot)

VA News Releases

• Not alone: VA social workers in your corner for 100 years (opens in a new tab) — dated 2026-08-08 by the agency
• Included because: AGENCYPR-SEL-01 — official agency release dated this day by the agency (all such releases from active sources are listed; titles only in the pilot)

Roll-call votes the chambers themselves record on 2026-08-08, in vote-number order. Every recorded vote in the window is listed: selection is by existence, not by importance, and no rule here prefers one question over another. Tallies and member positions come from the chamber's own published vote record, captured and hashed like every other source. This is the chambers' vote record itself; section 1.3 lists the Congressional Record granules in which votes were printed.

United States Senate

• Vote 227 — H.R. 6500: On the Motion to Table (opens in a new tab) — Motion to Table Agreed to (61-32).
• Motion to Table Budd Amdt. No. 6747; To strike section 2019.
• Tally: Yea 61 · Nay 32 · Present 0 · Not Voting 7
• Included because: VOTES-SEL-01 — recorded vote of this day in a chamber's own roll-call record (every recorded vote is listed, in vote-number order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the chamber's own roll-call record (linked above)
• Vote 228 — H.R. 6500: On Passage of the Bill (opens in a new tab) — Bill Passed (90-6, 3/5 majority required).
• H.R. 6500, as amended; An act making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.
• Tally: Yea 90 · Nay 6 · Present 1 · Not Voting 3
• Included because: VOTES-SEL-01 — recorded vote of this day in a chamber's own roll-call record (every recorded vote is listed, in vote-number order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the chamber's own roll-call record (linked above)
• Vote 229 — PN1078: On the Cloture Motion (opens in a new tab) — Cloture Motion Agreed to (50-49).
• Motion to Invoke Cloture: Todd Blanche to be Attorney General
• Tally: Yea 50 · Nay 49 · Present 0 · Not Voting 1
• Included because: VOTES-SEL-01 — recorded vote of this day in a chamber's own roll-call record (every recorded vote is listed, in vote-number order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the chamber's own roll-call record (linked above)
• Vote 230 — PN1078: On the Nomination (opens in a new tab) — Nomination Confirmed (50-49).
• Confirmation: Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General
• Tally: Yea 50 · Nay 49 · Present 0 · Not Voting 1
• Included because: VOTES-SEL-01 — recorded vote of this day in a chamber's own roll-call record (every recorded vote is listed, in vote-number order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the chamber's own roll-call record (linked above)
• Vote 231 — S. 5271: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed (opens in a new tab) — Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (52-46, 3/5 majority required).
• Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Proceed to S. 5271; A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification.
• Tally: Yea 52 · Nay 46 · Present 0 · Not Voting 2
• Included because: VOTES-SEL-01 — recorded vote of this day in a chamber's own roll-call record (every recorded vote is listed, in vote-number order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the chamber's own roll-call record (linked above)

What the chambers did with individual measures on 2026-08-08, as the Library of Congress's own bill-status record states it. Every action in the ingestion window is listed, in bill-designation order: selection is by existence, not by importance, and no rule here prefers one measure over another. Section 2 lists the text of bills published this day; this section lists what happened to them.

Publication lag: the record dates an action by the day the chamber took it and publishes it the following morning, so this section fills in after the day it describes has ended — the same lag the judicial section carries, and it is restated under Known gaps.

• H.R. 3633 — Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (opens in a new tab)
• Action: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate.
• 119th Congress · originated in the House
• Included because: BILLACTIONS-SEL-01 — action the Library of Congress's bill-status record dates on this day (every bill action in the window is listed, in bill-designation order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the Library of Congress's bill-status record via the Congress.gov API; the bill page is linked above
• H.R. 6500 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (opens in a new tab)
• Action: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 90 - 6. Record Vote Number: 228.
• 119th Congress · originated in the House
• Included because: BILLACTIONS-SEL-01 — action the Library of Congress's bill-status record dates on this day (every bill action in the window is listed, in bill-designation order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the Library of Congress's bill-status record via the Congress.gov API; the bill page is linked above
• S. 5271 — A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification. (opens in a new tab)
• Action: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 46. Record Vote Number: 231.
• 119th Congress · originated in the Senate
• Included because: BILLACTIONS-SEL-01 — action the Library of Congress's bill-status record dates on this day (every bill action in the window is listed, in bill-designation order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the Library of Congress's bill-status record via the Congress.gov API; the bill page is linked above
• S. 5383 — A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to schedule MGM-15 and MGM-16 as schedule I controlled substances, and to amend the controlled Substances Act to schedule synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl, as a Schedule I above a specific threshold under the controlled substance act, and to expand enforcement actions against drug manufacturers and distributors of emerging synthetic opioids, commonly known as gas station heroin. (opens in a new tab)
• Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
• 119th Congress · originated in the Senate
• Included because: BILLACTIONS-SEL-01 — action the Library of Congress's bill-status record dates on this day (every bill action in the window is listed, in bill-designation order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the Library of Congress's bill-status record via the Congress.gov API; the bill page is linked above
• S.Res. 847 — A resolution commending and congratulating the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team for winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Championship. (opens in a new tab)
• Action: Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• 119th Congress · originated in the Senate
• Included because: BILLACTIONS-SEL-01 — action the Library of Congress's bill-status record dates on this day (every bill action in the window is listed, in bill-designation order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the Library of Congress's bill-status record via the Congress.gov API; the bill page is linked above
• S.Res. 848 — A resolution celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the premier public health institute of the United States. (opens in a new tab)
• Action: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
• 119th Congress · originated in the Senate
• Included because: BILLACTIONS-SEL-01 — action the Library of Congress's bill-status record dates on this day (every bill action in the window is listed, in bill-designation order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the Library of Congress's bill-status record via the Congress.gov API; the bill page is linked above
• S.Res. 849 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 11 through September 17, 2026, as "Patriot Week". (opens in a new tab)
• Action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
• 119th Congress · originated in the Senate
• Included because: BILLACTIONS-SEL-01 — action the Library of Congress's bill-status record dates on this day (every bill action in the window is listed, in bill-designation order; selection is by existence, not importance)
• Source: the Library of Congress's bill-status record via the Congress.gov API; the bill page is linked above

Source: the Executive Office of the President, as published on whitehouse.gov and observed 2026-08-08. These are the President's own instruments — executive orders, proclamations, memoranda — carried here as the White House published them, days before the Federal Register compiles them into section 3.

Register (GUIDE §2): titles are the publisher's words and appear verbatim; any prose of ours about them is attributed, exactly as it is for agency releases. This section states what the White House published, never whether it was significant.

No presidential actions dated this day were observed. The White House publishes on its own schedule; an action taken today may appear in a later digest, and one dated earlier is counted under PRESACT-EX-01 rather than listed as today's news.

This section is mandatory and appears in every digest, including days with no publications. It accounts for every package observed on this digest day (GUIDE §3, observation-day filing); each package's own date may differ and is stated where it does. "Excluded" always names the mechanical rule; there are no unexplained omissions.

Sync summary: BILLS: completed 2026-08-09T17:52:29Z · CREC: completed 2026-08-09T17:52:28Z · FR: completed 2026-08-09T17:52:30Z · PLAW: completed 2026-08-09T17:52:32Z · USCOURTS: completed 2026-08-09T17:52:31Z; last watermarks as listed in the header.

Exclusion rules applied today:

• CREC-EX-01: floor granule below floor-time threshold — 307 item(s)
• CREC-EX-02: extensions/daily-digest sections (counted) — 55 item(s)
• USCOURTS-EX-01: district court opinions counted, not individually summarized — 1969 item(s)
• USCOURTS-EX-02: bankruptcy court opinions counted, not individually summarized — 11 item(s)

Source graphics: 0 graphic(s) flagged across today's documents: 0 content graphic(s) (equations, forms, maps, annex pages) and 0 boilerplate (signatures/seals, excluded by rule FR-GPH-01). Of the content graphics, 0 were analyzed via vision pass (vision pass not yet implemented) and 0 embedded above; the remainder are viewable in the cited source PDFs.

Known gaps: 1692 package(s) were not fetched and are not covered above; courts post opinions with delay; opinions filed on this date may appear in later syncs; the Library of Congress publishes a day's bill actions the following morning; actions taken on this date may appear in later polls.

Verification: any item above can be checked against its source in one click via its govinfo link. Totals in this table are reproducible from the stored extraction records for 2026-08-08.

Selection rules, summarization prompts, and thresholds are versioned in this repository and identified by the pipeline version in the header (b380209). Editorial principles — primary sources only, opinion-agnostic prose, mechanical party-blind selection, full coverage accounting — are defined in GUIDE.md §2. Ruleset in effect: prompt version 2; plain-language version 2. To reproduce this digest: re-run the report stage against the extracted records for 2026-08-08; no upstream re-fetch is required (GUIDE.md §5).

Filing note (2026-08-06, standing): digests from 2026-08-06 file govinfo packages under their day of first observation — FAPD's three clocks are explained in the FAQ. The Federal Register files under its cover date, on which it is legally published. Digests before 2026-08-06 filed by each document's own date; the two Congressional Record issues observed 2026-08-04/05 (proceedings of 08-03/08-04) fell between the freeze and this change and appear in no digest — disclosed here, not backfilled.

"In plain terms" lines are model-generated restatements of the stored summaries, derived only from the summary text shown beside them; items without one had no usable restatement. ALL-CAPS source headings are case-normalized for display; original casing is preserved at the source link. Term definitions above are static, repo-versioned prose.

License: this digest's compilation and prose are CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab) (credit "FAPD — Free Agentic Publication Digester"); quoted official government text is public domain (17 U.S.C. § 105).