Today in civics

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Painterly illustration of a proposal moving through the federal bill process — Principle Civics · Checked-in Principle learning-path illustration: Federal Bill Process.

Jul 1, 2026 · congress

OBBBA student loan caps take effect, ending Grad PLUS for new borrowers

On July 1, 2026, the most sweeping changes to federal student lending in a generation took effect. Congress buried them in a 940-page budget bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed by President Trump on J…

Sourcesgovtrack.usH.R. 1 fsapartners.ed.govGEN-25-04 Dear Colleague Letter

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Jul 1, 2026 · congress

Senators ask Fed watchdog to probe Bowman Wall Street dinner

On July 1, 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Jack Reed, and Chris Van Hollen wrote to Federal Reserve Inspector General Michael Horowitz asking him to investigate whether Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman…

SourcesSenate Banking CommitteeWarren, Reed, Van Hollen Call On Fed Watchdog To Invest…Jul 1, 2026 ReutersUS Senator Warren calls for Fed watchdog review of Bowm…Jul 1, 2026

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Painterly illustration of courts reviewing constitutional questions — Principle Civics · Checked-in Principle learning-path illustration: Courts and Constitutional Review.

Jul 1, 2026 · courts

DOJ sues California to halt Glock ban and handgun roster

On July 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit against California to block two gun laws from taking effect: Assembly Bill 1127, which bans dealers from selling Glock pistols and other striker-…

SourcesDepartment of Justice Civil Rights DivisionComplaint: United States v. California and Robert Bonta…Jul 1, 2026 DOJ Office of Public AffairsJustice Department Sues California to Halt Glock BanJul 1, 2026

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Painterly illustration of constitutional documents and civic institutions — Principle Civics · Checked-in Principle learning-path illustration: Constitutional Foundations.

Jul 1, 2026 · executive

US declines to renew USMCA, begins annual reviews of $2 trillion trade deal

On July 1, 2026, the United States declined to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form, setting off a legally distinct process of annual reviews that can continue until the agreemen…

SourcesTrade RepresentativeAmbassador Greer Issues Statement on the USMCA Joint Re…Jul 1, 2026 ustr.govUSMCA Agreement Text Final Provisions Chapter 34

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Public record today

The institutional actions behind today’s questions.

govtrack.usH.R. 1 — GovTrack.usThe One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law on July 4, 2025, by President Trump.
fsapartners.ed.govGEN-25-04 Dear Colleague Letter — Federal Student AidThe One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law on July 4, 2025, by President Trump.
congress.govCRS Report R48727: Amendments to the Higher Education Act Made by P.L. 119-21The Senate passed the OBBBA 51 to 50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
U.S. Senate Banking Committee · Jul 1, 2026Warren, Reed, Van Hollen Call On Fed Watchdog To Investigate Vice Chair Bowman's Private Wall Street DinnerOn July 1, 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Jack Reed, and Chris Van Hollen sent a letter to Federal Reserve Inspector General Michael Horowitz. What did the letter ask Horowitz to do?

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