Congress Proposes Ban on Election and Government Gambling
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Regulatory Compliance
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Professional Services
Congressional leaders Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Jamie Raskin have introduced the STOP Corrupt Bets Act, legislation aimed at prohibiting gambling on elections, government activities, sports, and military events through prediction market platforms. The bill mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on prediction markets and clarifies regulatory intent to prevent corruption risks associated with betting on sensitive government and military outcomes. This legislation supports state authority over gambling regulation and targets platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket that currently offer such contracts.
Why this matters: Federal agencies and contractors involved in regulatory compliance, financial oversight, and market monitoring should prepare for potential new restrictions impacting prediction market operations.
The bill signals increased scrutiny of prediction market platforms, which may affect contracting opportunities related to market regulation, compliance technology, and data analytics.
Organizations providing services to or operating prediction markets should evaluate their offerings for alignment with forthcoming regulatory changes and GAO study outcomes.
Procurement professionals should track developments as this legislation could lead to new federal requirements or contracting needs in financial market oversight and anti-corruption enforcement.
Prediction market platforms must be clear and consistent on what event contracts are allowed and prohibited. Allowing bets on political events, government actions, and military matters undermines public trust and invites corruption.
— Janice Luong, Project On Government Oversight
The prediction market industry has become nothing more than a gambling business by any other name. Recent bets on prediction market platforms on, say, the killing of a national leader or the price of oil that were placed moments before the federal government took actions causing those bets to become reality, suggests those bettors may have had insider information.
— Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen
The oligarchs and opportunists are using prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket to enrich themselves. But democracy isn’t about insider gambling on our common future, it’s about everyone making it together.
— Jamie Raskin, U.S. Representative
Agencies
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Government Accountability Office
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Physical Infrastructure
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Construction & Infrastructure
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is conducting an Industry Day on April 7, 2026, at the Davenport River Center to engage contractors on the upcoming Increment II construction contract for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. This contract focuses on critical infrastructure work at the Flushing Lock and Right Descending Bank Wall near Joliet, Illinois, aimed at preventing invasive species from entering the Great Lakes. The event will provide detailed project information and solicit contractor feedback to enhance design efficiency and cost-effectiveness, offering procurement professionals and contractors an early opportunity to understand project requirements and influence contract scope.
The Increment II construction contract represents a significant infrastructure effort by USACE to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem, highlighting opportunities for civil construction and environmental engineering firms.
Contractors should prepare to engage with USACE MVD Rock Island District representatives to clarify technical requirements and contribute to design improvements that may impact bidding strategies.
Early participation in the Industry Day can provide competitive advantages by informing proposal development and identifying potential subcontracting or partnership opportunities.
The project location at Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, and coordination with facilities in Davenport, Iowa, underscores the regional scope and logistical considerations for contractors.
Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles has appointed David W. Hanson as the Interim General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) following the departure of Janisse Quiñones. Hanson, with over 20 years of experience at LADWP, is tasked with supporting the city's objectives of maintaining reliable utility services and advancing the transition to 100% clean energy. This leadership change signals continuity in LADWP's strategic direction and may influence upcoming procurement priorities related to clean energy infrastructure and utility operations.
Procurement professionals should anticipate sustained emphasis on clean energy projects and utility modernization under Hanson's interim leadership.
Contractors specializing in renewable energy, grid reliability, and utility services may find emerging opportunities aligned with LADWP's clean energy goals.
Organizations engaged with LADWP should monitor potential shifts in procurement strategies or contract solicitations reflecting the new management's priorities.
This appointment underscores the importance of experienced leadership in managing large municipal utility procurements and service delivery.
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Physical Infrastructure
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Transportation
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Construction & Infrastructure
Los Angeles Metro is moving forward with the K Line Northern Extension project, specifically endorsing the San Vicente-Fairfax route to serve nearly 100,000 daily riders and enhance regional transit connectivity. Congressional and municipal leaders, including Congresswoman Laura Friedman and Mayor Karen Bass, emphasize that the extension will improve mobility, reduce congestion and pollution, create union jobs, and increase access to housing and education without raising taxes. This project represents a significant municipal infrastructure investment with implications for transit contractors, urban planners, and regional development stakeholders.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is the primary agency overseeing the extension, signaling upcoming procurement opportunities for construction, engineering, and transit services.
The project’s focus on high ridership and community impact suggests prioritization of sustainable, unionized labor and environmentally conscious solutions.
Procurement professionals should prepare for solicitations related to light rail infrastructure, community engagement, and transit operations in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Contractors with experience in urban transit expansions and public infrastructure projects in California may find strategic opportunities aligned with this extension.
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Regulatory Compliance
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Energy & Utilities
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Information Technology
U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley have introduced a legislative initiative to require mandatory annual energy use reporting for data centers and other large energy consumers. This proposal aims to increase transparency in energy consumption, ensure equitable utility cost allocation among technology companies, and support improved grid planning to protect ratepayers from escalating electricity costs. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is positioned as a key federal agency likely involved in data collection and analysis to support this mandate.
Procurement professionals should anticipate new compliance requirements for contracts involving data centers and large-scale energy users, potentially impacting contract terms and reporting obligations.
Technology vendors and contractors serving government data centers may need to enhance energy monitoring and reporting capabilities to meet forthcoming regulatory standards.
This initiative signals increased federal focus on energy accountability, which could influence future procurement criteria emphasizing sustainability and cost transparency.
Organizations involved in energy management and utility services should evaluate opportunities to support agencies in implementing these reporting requirements.
Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention awarded nearly $15 million in grants to 73 organizations across 60 counties statewide as of March 2026. These grants support a broad range of initiatives aimed at reducing crime, preventing violence, and enhancing safety for children, families, and communities. Funded activities include suicide prevention, firearm safety, domestic violence prevention, and school-based programs, reflecting a comprehensive state strategy to address violence and its root causes.
The grants target diverse recipients including school districts, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, firearm retailers, and local governments, indicating multiple procurement opportunities across sectors.
Procurement professionals should note the emphasis on community-based violence prevention programs, which may increase demand for specialized services and products related to public safety and health.
Organizations interested in Wisconsin state contracts should consider aligning proposals with the state's holistic violence prevention priorities to enhance competitiveness.
The funding underscores Wisconsin's commitment to multi-sector collaboration, suggesting potential for partnerships between government entities and private sector providers in violence prevention efforts.
Senators John Kennedy and John Cornyn have actively promoted legislative measures to withhold congressional pay during government shutdowns, aiming to align lawmakers' compensation with the operational status of federal agencies. Senator Kennedy's resolution, which would suspend senators' salaries during shutdowns and release them only after government reopening, received unanimous support in the Senate Rules Committee but was blocked from a full Senate vote by Senate Democrats. Senator Kennedy also personally requested his pay be withheld until the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown ends, emphasizing shared sacrifice with DHS personnel working without pay.
This legislative effort highlights ongoing congressional discussions about financial accountability and shared sacrifice during government funding lapses.
Procurement professionals should note potential impacts on government operations and contracting timelines during shutdowns, as legislative gridlock may prolong funding gaps.
Contractors supporting DHS and related agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may face payment delays or operational disruptions if shutdowns persist.
Organizations engaged in federal procurement should consider contingency planning for shutdown-related risks affecting contract performance and government workforce availability.
Senators Bill Hagerty, Angela Alsobrooks, Catherine Cortez Masto, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and colleagues have introduced the bipartisan Main Street Depositor Protection Act (S.4198) to authorize the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to increase deposit insurance coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts at community and mid-sized banks and credit unions. The proposed legislation raises the insurance cap from the current $250,000 up to $5 million, aiming to protect small businesses' operational funds such as payroll accounts. This legislative effort responds to vulnerabilities exposed by recent bank failures, including Silicon Valley Bank, and seeks to strengthen financial stability for small and mid-sized lenders that serve local economies.
Why this matters: Enhanced deposit insurance coverage supports the financial resilience of community banks and credit unions, which are critical to small business operations and local economic health.
Procurement professionals should consider the potential impact on financial institutions that serve government contractors and small businesses, as increased deposit insurance may influence banking relationships and risk assessments.
This legislation signals congressional attention to safeguarding operational funds, which may affect contract payment flows and financial management practices for government contractors.
Organizations involved in financial services procurement or banking technology may find new opportunities as community banks adjust to expanded insurance requirements and related compliance needs.
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Regulatory Compliance
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Physical Infrastructure
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Energy & Utilities
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Defense & Military
The Senate has introduced and advanced the Strengthening American Nuclear Energy Act of 2026, which codifies four executive orders from the Trump administration into law. This legislation mandates reforms to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, streamline regulatory processes at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and revitalize the domestic nuclear industrial base. The act supports reliable baseload energy production critical to national security and energy independence, with specific emphasis on projects like TerraPower's Natrium next-generation reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
The Department of Energy (DOE) will implement reforms to nuclear reactor testing and support advanced reactor deployment, creating procurement opportunities for nuclear technology developers and suppliers.
Regulatory reforms at the NRC aim to expedite licensing and oversight, potentially reducing timeframes and costs for nuclear energy projects.
Procurement professionals should anticipate increased federal funding and contract opportunities related to nuclear infrastructure modernization and advanced reactor technologies.
Industry stakeholders, including uranium producers and reactor developers, may benefit from a revitalized nuclear supply chain and expanded market demand driven by this legislation.
Senators John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy have introduced legislation to abolish and defund the César E. Chávez National Monument in California. The bill aims to redirect the funds currently allocated to the monument toward the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, which supports forensic analysis of crime scenes and untested rape kits to aid law enforcement and survivors of sexual assault.
This legislative proposal could shift federal funding priorities, impacting budget allocations within the Department of the Interior and related agencies managing national monuments.
Procurement professionals should anticipate potential increases in grant funding opportunities related to forensic analysis and crime lab services under the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program.
Contractors specializing in forensic technology, laboratory equipment, and crime scene analysis may find emerging opportunities as funds are reallocated.
Organizations involved in federal grant administration and forensic services should evaluate how this reallocation might affect program funding cycles and contract solicitations.
The United States Senate, led by Senators John Cornyn and Shelley Moore Capito, has introduced the Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility (EBITDA) Act aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of U.S.-headquartered companies. This legislation proposes allowing businesses to include global earnings when calculating taxable income and interest deductibility, building on previous tax reforms such as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The bill is designed to improve access to capital and incentivize domestic investment, potentially impacting procurement strategies and capital allocation for government contractors and suppliers.
Why this matters: Procurement professionals should anticipate potential shifts in contractor financial strategies as companies may have increased capacity for reinvestment and expansion due to improved tax treatment.
The legislation could influence bidding competitiveness by enabling U.S. companies to leverage global earnings in financial planning.
Organizations involved in government contracting may find new opportunities as domestic investment incentives encourage growth and innovation.
Stakeholders should monitor legislative progress and assess how changes in tax policy might affect contract pricing, supplier stability, and investment in infrastructure or technology.
