August 7, 2026
IACP Urges Congress to Oppose Any Effort to Delay, Repeal, Suspend, or Weaken the Revised Federal Definition of Hemp
On Thursday, August 6, IACP President David Rausch sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Majority Leader John Thune, and Minority Leader Charles Schumer expressing strong opposition to any effort to delay, repeal, suspend, or weaken the revised federal definition of hemp enacted by Congress in 2025.
In 2025, Congress clarified the definition of hemp and IACP urges Congress to maintain this framework. IACP emphasized that maintaining the current framework is critical to limiting youth access, reducing confusion for law enforcement and consumers, and supporting state efforts to establish clear and effective regulatory systems for intoxicating hemp products.
Clarity Act Vote Pushed to September
The Senate has announced that it will hold voting on the Clarity Act until after its August recess. Majority Leader John Thune has confirmed that this bill will wait until lawmakers return in September. IACP has been working alongside the administration and the Senate to address law enforcement concerns with this legislation. These efforts will continue as the legislation moves forward.
August Recess Update
Congress is set to begin its summer recess on August 10 and is expected to return to Washington, DC, Monday, September 14. The House has been in its August district work period since July 24 and will briefly reconvene during the week of August 31–September 3 before taking another break for the Labor Day holiday.
While members of the House and Senate are back home in their districts, no official business will take place in Congress. Because of this, IACP will pause its legislative updates until Congress is back in session.
Blanche Nomination Update:
Todd Blanche, current acting attorney general and President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, August 4. His nomination is now heading to the Senate for a full Senate vote. The timing of the vote has yet to be scheduled. The IACP will continue to monitor the nomination as it moves through the confirmation process.
IACP remains committed to ensuring the voice of the policing profession is heard at the highest levels of government. IACP’s advocacy is grounded in the needs of those serving on the front lines.
We will continue to keep you informed as advocacy efforts progress and new opportunities arise. If you have any questions about IACP’s advocacy efforts or would like to connect further, please contact IACP’s Legislative Affairs team at legaffairs@theIACP.org.
