Josh Hawley

Money Moves

Expressing alarm over Netflix–WBD merger's antitrust implications

On October 6, Paramount Skydance completed its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a combined company named Skydance and ending a 13-month bidding war that survived federal and state antitrust challenges. The deal closed after a federal judge approved a settlement with 12 states on September 30, and shares of Skydance began trading on the NYSE under the ticker SKYD.

Updated Oct 9

Rule Changes

Introduced the Stop Flock Abuse Act

A federal judge in Oklahoma ruled that a warrantless search of Flock's license plate database was 'indiscriminate mass surveillance' and violated the Fourth Amendment. The Oct. 1 ruling suppressed evidence of 91 pounds of meth because the officer searched the database without a warrant.

Updated Oct 7

Rule Changes

Backed the executive order; called for federal protections

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order September 16 capping how long police can keep license plate reader data at 30 days and banning facial recognition integration. The state's Department of Public Safety followed up on October 2 with formal guidance telling agencies how to comply, including monthly audits and a ban on vendors selling Missouri data.

Updated Oct 6

New Capabilities

Introduced Stop Flock Abuse Act; launched investigation into surveillance companies

A hundred U.S. Postal Service delivery trucks in the Washington, D.C. area now carry forward-facing cameras that record roads, signs, and sidewalks in 4K while the vehicles are in drive. USPS launched the pilot on September 21 with dashcam maker Next Base, saying it wants to identify roadway conditions and support "community safety."

Updated Oct 1

Force in Play

Flipped vote after Rubio letter

Congress hasn't declared war since 1942, though presidents have ordered 212 military strikes without formal declarations. On January 3, 2026, U.S. special forces raided Venezuela, captured President Nicolás Maduro in his residence, and flew him to New York to face narcoterrorism charges.

Updated May 22