August 2026

Trump v. Slaughter may force independent agencies to provide more rigorous justifications for new rules. But one positive outcome is that the decision affirms a President’s ability to oversee the regulations of independent agencies, just as he does executive branch agencies. 

A new archival initiative of the Regulatory Studies Center presents a living digital repository dedicated to preserving the foundational materials of modern regulatory practice. The project aims to provide scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and the public with an unprecedented look at how modern regulatory oversight was built. Read More >

Explore interactive visualizations tracking our popular data series on federal regulatory activity across administrations, agencies, and time. Read More >

See also: New charts for the Regulators’ Budget by Regulatory Subcategory

Friday, September 25, 2026. 8:30am – 3:00pm EDT
1957 E Street NW, Washington, DC
City View Room, 7th Floor

Join us Friday, September 25 for a public forum with authors of our paper series on emerging technologies. Lunch keynote presented by incoming GW Provost Edward Balleisen, a celebrated historian of the evolution of modern regulatory governance. More details and a registration link coming soon! 

A new webinar series of the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration and the Regulatory Studies Center explores issues such as data governance, energy, program evaluation, policy engagement, professional development, and more. Susan Dudley and William Yeatman presented Emerging Trends in Regulation (and Deregulation) June 25. The series continued July 9 with a discussion on Public Sector Leadership in the Age of AI. Watch for additional webinars coming this fall!

We recently checked in with Trachtenberg alum (MPP '14) Ben Ossoff for an update on his latest role as Head of Regulatory Affairs at Column. Read More >

Senior Policy Analyst Finn Dobkin has been selected as a research scholar in the 2026–2027 cohort of the Critical Minerals Research Lab at Resources For the Future. As an RFF scholar, Dobkin will work on some of the most pressing critical minerals challenges facing the energy transition, including post-mining land use. Participants have a rare opportunity to connect across disciplines and regions, gain exposure to new methods and data sources, and hone the policy-relevance of their research while receiving feedback from peers and academic and policy experts. In addition to his role as a full-time analyst at the Regulatory Studies Center, Dobkin is a doctoral candidate in Public Finance at the GW Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

July 29, 2026
Public comment by Mary Sullivan

The Department of Transportation's proposed changes would make it more difficult for consumers to identify the total price of an airline ticket, resulting in higher search costs and more buying mistakes. Read More >

July 29, 2026
Commentary by Matias Vesperoni

Payment stablecoins have grown from a niche cryptocurrency product into a rapidly expanding part of the digital payments landscape. The GENIUS Act responds by establishing a federal framework governing who may issue payment stablecoins and how their reserves must be managed. Read More >

July 21, 2026
Commentary by Joseph Dunne

In the absence of a federal approach to AI regulation, U.S. states have introduced nearly 1,200 bills and enacted 150 into law. Read More >

July 17, 2026
Public comment by Susan Dudley

Comment submitted in response to a Request for Information from the Department of Energy. Read More >

July 7, 2026
Commentary by Finn Dobkin

OIRA released its 2026 Unified Agenda and annual Regulatory Plan, highlighting each agency's regulatory priorities for the coming year. Read More >

April 21, 2026
With Matias Vesperoni & Finn Dobkin

The latest edition of the Regulators’ Budget report covers fiscal years 1960 through 2024 and presents data on the outlays and personnel devoted to writing, administering, and enforcing federal regulations at 77 departments and agencies. Listen to Podcast > | Video Explainers: Matias Vesperoni on Trends in Agency Staffing / Finn Dobkin on Trends in Agency Outlays

June 26, 2026
Commentary by Tambudzai Charumbira (Gundani)

Summary of remarks on data governance and sovereignty at the June 2026 “Regulatory Crosswinds” conference. Read More >

June 24, 2026
Commentary by Susan Dudley

The Administrative Procedure Act’s simple framework ensures federal regulations are based on evidence, public input, and reasoned justification. Read More >

Two virtual trainings for members of the Regulation & Innovation Roundtable will be hosted this month: Engaging Effectively in Rulemaking on August 4, and A Non-Economist’s Guide to Regulatory Impact Analysis on August 10.

William Yeatman and Aram Gavoor spoke on a panel hosted by Americans for Prosperity, “Loper Bright at Year Two: Assessing the Post-Chevron Landscape” (July 28, 2026). 

William Yeatman spoke at a conference hosted by the Foundation for Economic Education: The Spirit of Liberty: Renewing the American Ideal (July 22, 2026). 

Susan Dudley visited Women in Government Relations to discuss the keys to effective meetings with regulatory agencies (July 16, 2026). 

William Yeatman was interviewed on Federal News Network: The Trump Administration Continues to Champion Deregulation (July 27, 2026).

Steven Balla was quoted in STAT News: Flood of Comments on White House Grantmaking is Largely Negative, Analysis Shows (July 15, 2026).

Susan Dudley and William Yeatman were quoted in Bloomberg Law: EPA's Truck Rule Extends Novel Approach the Cost-Benefit Analysis (July 13, 2026).

Steven Balla was quoted in The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Trump's Proposed Grant Rules Spark Outcry, 100 Thousand Comments (July 9, 2026).

William Yeatman was quoted in Bloomberg Law: Trump Push to Slash Regulatory Red Tape Opens a Crucial Chapter (July 8, 2026).

Susan Dudley was quoted in E&E News: Trump Plans Rollbacks as Rules Agenda Piles High (July 6, 2026).

Susan Dudley was quoted in National Law Journal: After 'Slaughter' Ruling, Agencies Face a New Constitutional Order (July 1, 2026).

Steven Balla was quoted in Ignites: It Takes a Village: Array of DOL Rule Supporters Sound Off in Comments (June 22, 2026).

Listen to our podcast for insights on regulatory trends. Recent discussions have explored the Congressional Review Act, Biden's Data Security executive order, effective public engagement strategies for federal agencies, and more.