Short Takes – 4-26-25

America is not prepared for drone warfare in the homeland — yet. TheHill.com commentary. Pull quote: “Unfortunately, the ability to defend against drone attacks from any enemy, foreign or domestic, is severely hampered by a legal framework that has lagged behind this emerging threat. It turns out there is a complex web of federal laws that criminalize efforts to damage, disable or even detect or track drones.”

Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting. Federal Register STB meeting notice. Summary: “RETAC was formed in 2007 to provide advice and guidance to the Surface Transportation Board (Board), and to serve as a forum for discussion of emerging issues related to the transportation of energy resources by rail. Establishment of a Rail Energy Transp. Advisory Comm., EP 670 (STB served July 17, 2007). The purpose of this meeting is to facilitate discussions regarding issues including rail service, infrastructure planning and development, and effective coordination among suppliers, rail carriers, and users of energy resources. Potential agenda items for this meeting include a rail performance measures review, industry segment updates by RETAC members, and a roundtable discussion.”  Meeting date: May 29^th, 2025.

Notice of Request for Public Comments on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Trucks. Federal Register BIS request for comments. Summary: “On April 22, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks, and medium- and heavy-duty truck parts, and their derivative products. This investigation has been initiated under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (Section 232). Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, data, analyses, or other information pertinent to the investigation to the Department of Commerce's (Department) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security. This notice identifies issues on which the Department is especially interested in obtaining the public's views.” Comments due May 16^th, 2025.

Notice of Request for Public Comments on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products. Federal Register BIS request for comments. Summary: “On April 22, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of processed critical minerals as well as their derivative products. This investigation has been initiated under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (Section 232). Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, data, analyses, or other information pertinent to the investigation to the Department of Commerce's (Department) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security. This notice identifies issues on which the Department is especially interested in obtaining the public's views.” Comments due: May 16^th, 2025.

DOGE deactivates 500,000 credit cards in unprecedented new program. NewsBreak.com article.  Pull quote: “DOGE wrote on their X account, "The program to audit unused/unneeded credit cards has been expanded to 30 agencies. After 7 weeks, ~470k cards have been de-activated. As a reminder, at the start of the audit, there were ~4.6M active cards/accounts, so still more work to do."”

EO 14278 - Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future. Federal Register.

EO 14279 - Reforming Accreditation To Strengthen Higher Education. Federal Register.

EO 14280 - Reinstating Commonsense School Discipline Policies. Federal Register.

EO 14281 - Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy. Federal Register.

EO 14282 - Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities. Federal Register.

EO 14283 - White House Initiative To Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Federal Register.