Operation Stork Speed: A Great Opportunity if Executed Correctly

Posted on April 17, 2025Categories FDA

In March, the FDA announced Operation Stork Speed in response to a Consumer Reports investigation which found traces of toxic chemicals in baby formula. Secretary of HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has directed the FDA to begin several new initiatives and increase the scrutiny of testing to find ways to have better access to safe baby formula. Operation Stork Speed will begin a comprehensive review of the nutrient list that is currently approved by the FDA and increase labeling transparency with industry. Although created in response to the Consumer Reports findings, a ProPublica investigation published on April 4th has led to concerning claims about unsanitary practices within an Abbot Labs factory. The same Michigan-based factory that shutdown in 2022, after reports of infant hospitalizations and deaths due to this facility’s formula, causing a nationwide shortage. Given the added issues with the factory, if done correctly, Operation Stork Speed could begin to solve the safety issues that have recently plagued the baby formula industry.
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The European Accessibility Act is Looming as Corporations Race to Comply

Posted on April 17, 2025Categories International Affairs, Uncategorized

The European Accessibility Act (the Act/EAA) aims to increase market opportunities for accessible products and services on both the consumer and business level. Accessibility is an essential factor in making buying decisions in today’s world; showing that companies are committed to diversity and inclusion in a time where it is increasingly important. The Act covers a wide variety of products and services that are important for those with disabilities and that may not be accessible across the European Union (EU). Such products and services include: computers or operating systems, smartphones, audio-visual media services, banking services, etc. Although the European Accessibility Act is advertised as a manageable compliance requirement, inconsistent enforcement across EU member states, vague exemptions, and widespread corporate unpreparedness suggest that it will be a significant regulatory challenge.
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The Corporate Transparency Act: Now Featuring Much Less Transparency

Posted on April 16, 2025Categories Antitrust, Regulation

Among some of the big changes being made by the new Administration is the intention to no longer enforce the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) against U.S. citizens and domestic reporting companies. The CTA, enacted back in 2021, was designed and implemented to enhance corporate accountability and combat financial crimes like money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, and the like. It requires certain businesses to disclose their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) with the goal of increasing transparency in corporate structures and organization. However, some recent developments have led to significant changes in the ability to enforce this act, sparking a lot of debate on the implications of (or without) the act.
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REAL ID or Bureaucratic Overreach? A Closer Look at the Federal Mandate

Posted on April 15, 2025Categories National Security, Transportation

As the long-postponed REAL ID deadline approaches in May 2025, states are scrambling to issue the updated identification cards amid public confusion and operational strain. Despite being marketed as a streamlined security measure, the REAL ID Act continues to spark debate nearly two decades after its passage—raising concerns about federal overreach, inconsistent implementation, and whether the program’s costs outweigh its benefits.
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Re-Farm-ation: Reforming American Crop Subsidies to Promote Healthier Diets and Better Lives

Posted on April 11, 2025Categories health

Today, ultra-processed foods make up approximately 60% of the average American adult diet, and 70% of American children’s diets. These highly processed diets are coupled with an increase in obesity, from approximately 15% in the 1970s to 40% today. The increase in American consumption of ultra-processed foods is a key contributor to increased obesity and related comorbidities that shorten American lives compared to other similarly situated wealthy countries. American agriculture is directly contributing to this issue through government grants, programs, and subsidies that encourage the production of crops like corn, sugar, and oilseeds that are often made into ultra-processed foods. Subsidy reforms can reduce Americans’ consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods and promote healthier diets.
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They Came for the Neighbors: The Deportation of Lawfully Present Immigrants

Posted on April 10, 2025Categories International Affairs, National Security

Andry José Hernández Romero was detained for suspected involvement with a notorious Venezuelan crime organization. The evidence? Two crown tattoos atop the words “Mom” and “Dad” on his wrists. A gay makeup artist, Romero fled his home country of Venezuela to escape persecution for his sexuality and political beliefs. Romero is only one of many non-citizens who, despite being lawfully present in the U.S., face unprecedented risk of deportation due to little more than superficial characteristics under Trump’s aggressive immigration tactics.
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Six Years Later – Is the Chicago Police Consent Decree Working?

Posted on April 9, 2025Categories Department of Justice

Six years ago, the City of Chicago (the City) entered into a consent decree establishing a framework for sweeping reform of the policies and operations of the Chicago Police Department and the City. This major reform effort was initiated after Chicago police officers shot and killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014. Chicago’s consent decree is aimed at addressing concerns in several areas, especially police accountability and officer misconduct. Oversight is done by the Independent Monitoring Team, which reviews and assesses the City’s compliance. After almost six and a half years, the City is nowhere close to fulfilling the requirements. Even worse, Chicagoans have little faith that the City will ever reach full compliance.  
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From Spreadsheets to Statutes: KPMG Enters into Law

Posted on April 9, 2025Categories Finance & Banking, Regulation

The Arizona Supreme Court has approved the accounting firm Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) to enter the practice of law. KMPG will be the first Big Four accounting firm to open its own law firm. This approval has created a stir in the legal community due to conflict and ethical compliance concerns. Although KPMG only has received approval in Arizona, there could be potential issues regarding conflicts, ethical challenges, and fair competition.
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The European Union’s Antitrust Actions Against Google and Apple: The Last Soldier of Big Tech Regulation

Posted on April 6, 2025Categories International Affairs, technology

Due to President Trump’s focus on weakening regulations on big technology companies, the European Union (EU) finds itself once again at the forefront of regulating big tech to ensure fair competition within digital markets. The EU’s recent actions, as of March 19, 2025, accuse Google and Apple of antitrust violations, a move that may increase geopolitical tensions as President Trump has made it clear he will protect American companies from “overseas extortion.” The EU remains one of the few remaining checks on the power of big tech.
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The IRS-ICE Data Sharing Deal: A New Era of Regulatory Compliance Challenges

Posted on April 3, 2025Categories Privacy & Security, tax

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly nearing an agreement to share limited taxpayer data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), marking a significant departure in tax enforcement and immigration policy. This potential deal would allow ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify whether names and addresses match filed tax records, purportedly to facilitate immigration enforcement efforts. However, this agreement raises concerns about taxpayer privacy, legal and corporate compliance, and potential declines in tax participation, which could undermine both federal revenue tax collection and trust in the tax system.
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