FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Microsoft has stopped systematically excluding conservative nonprofits from its corporate generosity program, the Daily Signal has learned. The tech giant—the fourth-largest company in the world by market capitalization—has directed its corporate generosity platform, Benevity, to stop relying on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “hate map” to filter out nonprofits. Critics say the SPLC unfairly condemns mainstream conservative and Christian nonprofits by putting them on this map with chapters of the Ku Klux Klan. The SPLC maintains that these nonprofits vilify people typically for their immutable characteristics. “Microsoft’s decision is a major victory against ideological blacklisting in employee gift-matching programs and an important win for conservative and religious organizations,” Tim Schwarzenberger, director of corporate engagement at Inspire Investing, told the Daily Signal in a statement Tuesday. According to a report exclusively provided first to the Daily Signal, Microsoft disclosed the move away from the SPLC in response to a shareholder proposal. Inspire Investing, a Christian financial adviser that focuses on “Biblically Responsible Investing,” had filed a shareholder proposal asking Microsoft to evaluate the risks associated with excluding religious organizations from its employee gift-matching program and the use of third-party ideological screening. “During engagement, Microsoft confirmed that it had removed the SPLC filter from its Benevity platform in late 2025,” the report states. “As a result, otherwise eligible IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations are no longer subject to that additional ideological screening within Microsoft’s employee gift-matching program.” SPLC Backlash The SPLC publishes a “hate map” that critics say conflates mainstream conservative and Christian organizations with genuinely extremist groups. Critics note the map includes Moms for Liberty, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Focus on the Family. In 2012, a since-convicted terrorist told the FBI he used the SPLC’s map to target the Family Research Council in an attempted mass shooting. The SPLC condemned the attack but kept the council on the map. FBI Director Kash Patel officially cut the bureau’s ties with the SPLC following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In April, a federal grand jury indicted the SPLC for wire fraud and bank fraud for allegedly funneling money to Klan members, propping up the hate threat in order to raise money by claiming to oppose it. The SPLC says the payments involved informants identifying threats, but prosecutors dispute that claim. 1792 Exchange, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing ideological balance back to public companies, and Alliance Defending Freedom called on corporate generosity platforms to stop using the SPLC. The Daily Signal reached out to the SPLC for comment but did not receive a response by publication time. What Is Benevity? Corporate generosity platforms such as Benevity connect employers to a host of nonprofits. Benevity connects “nearly 1,000 enterprise companies” to a network of 513,000 nonprofits. Benevity acknowledged in 2021 that it uses the SPLC to vet almost “2 million nonprofits.” Benevity maintains that the SPLC “hate map” is an optional filter, not a default setting. Thanks to shareholder activism from 1792 Exchange, Bowyer Research, the Heritage Foundation, and others, a growing list of companies has directed Benevity to stop using the SPLC. The list includes American Express, AT&T, Mastercard, McDonald’s, Nvidia, and Salesforce. Companies use other corporate generosity programs as well, and have directed them to stop using the SPLC list. DoorDash directed the platform Deed to stop using the SPLC for this purpose. Verizon directed CyberGrants, another such platform, to stop using the SPLC for its employee giving. The Daily Signal reached out to Benevity for comment but did not receive a response by publication time. Implications of Microsoft’s Decision Schwarzenberger, the Inspire Investing director, told the Daily Signal that Microsoft’s decision “demonstrates that even one of the world’s largest companies can administer its employee gift-matching program using objective charitable standards without relying on additional ideological screening imposed by outside advocacy organizations.” He also noted that Microsoft is “part of a broader trend we’ve seen across corporate America as companies reevaluate employee gift matching, strengthen charitable neutrality, and give employees greater freedom to support lawful IRS-recognized charities consistent with their convictions.” This trend “has the potential to redirect millions of dollars in matching gifts to otherwise eligible charitable organizations that may have previously been excluded under additional ideological screening criteria.” Schwarzenberger said he hopes Microsoft’s “leadership encourages others across corporate America to do the same.” The Daily Signal reached out to Microsoft for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.

Things are really shaping up in the commonwealth. Arlington was selected again this year as the nation’s fittest city by the American College of Sports Medicine. “Arlington, Virginia continues its long-standing position as the nation’s fittest city, reflecting strong performance across multiple indicators including physical activity levels, access to parks and recreational facilities, and supportive transportation infrastructure,” the group said. The American College of Sports Medicine’s index measures personal health behaviors, chronic disease outcomes, community infrastructure, and environmental factors to “provide a comprehensive picture of how well cities promote fitness and well-being.” Arlington is noted for its network of bike and pedestrian pathways that make it easy to get around by biking, walking, or running. “It’s great for outdoors greenery—a combination of the urban and suburban environment,” a cyclist named Jerry told the Daily Signal during a pit stop along the W&OD bike trail. He added he rides trails a couple of times each week. A cyclist named Jasmine told the Daily Signal she has taken up riding since moving to Northern Virginia and hopes to ride the entire 45 miles of trail from Arlington to Purcellville. “There are a lot of people out today, especially with the nice weather,” a cyclist named Cameron told the Daily Signal. He said he’s lived in Arlington for 14 years and has seen the area make a lot of progress. Another rider, who lives in Fairfax County, said that the bike paths make it easy to get exercise. “Increasing physical activity decreases our risk of chronic diseases of all types. It doesn’t mean we’ll never get a disease, but it decreases our risk greatly,” Dr. Stella Volpe, a former leader of the American College of Sports Medicine, told WTOP. “Physical activity and exercise is the best medicine.” Other Virginia cities made big moves this year. Richmond improved more than any place in the U.S., jumping 20 slots to land at No. 20 and increasing its total score by 7.2 points. A runner named Mary-Kate, who is training for the Richmond marathon in November, said she isn’t surprised by the city’s improved showing. “I see more people getting out running every year,” she told the Daily Signal. “The marathon has already sold out.” Virginia Beach moved up 18 places to No. 61 this year. The city’s Parks and Recreation department is looking to build on the momentum by sending a FitPop van to host pop-up adult fitness classes around the city. Southwest Virginia may also creep up in the rankings soon. That’s because the entire length of the Virginia Creeper Trail, from Abingdon to Whitetop, will reopen on March 31, 2027. Hurricane Helene knocked out 17 miles of the trail in 2024. “This trail is part of the heartbeat of our community,” Ed Wright, district ranger for the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, told WCYB.

Speaker Mike Johnson is planning a rare fourth reconciliation package to defund Planned Parenthood, according to sources, but it is unclear if he can succeed. The 2025 One Big, Beautiful Act defunded Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, for one year, but that provision expired on July 4, 2026. Pro-life members pushed for extensions of the defunding provision in both reconciliation 2.0 and 3.0 bills, but both efforts were unsuccessful. The Senate’s process of reconciliation, used for certain budget-related items, bypasses the filibuster, requiring only a simple majority vote for passage instead of the usual 60 votes. The White House-approved reconciliation 3.0 package includes policy priorities such as Iran war spending and voter ID legislation, but it does not address the millions in funding to Planned Parenthood. Certain members of Congress have held discussions with the Trump administration stressing the importance defunding Planned Parenthood, a senior House aide told the Daily Signal. Yet most conservative members have agreed to vote for a reconciliation 3.0 package that doesn’t involve abortion funding. Johnson has told pro-life groups and members to wait for a fourth reconciliation bill to defund Planned Parenthood, a prospect one pro-life operative described as a “pipe dream.” But Majority Leader Steve Scalise agreed that reconciliation 4.0 can “do the things that are left out of this one [reconciliation 3.0],” and Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington said there is a legitimate prospect for a fourth bill that defunds Planned Parenthood. Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., a staunch pro-lifer, agrees with that approach, telling the Daily Signal that “there comes a time that you do have to acknowledge and recognize political realities.” “[Reconciliation 3.0] has to be kept that narrow,” he said, “and anything beyond that, including this, would create a legislative crisis over there [in the Senate], and would open up so many other doors.”  However, a budget expert told the Daily Signal there is no way that a reconciliation 4.0 can be enacted this Congress.   Reconciliation 3.0 uses up the one reconciliation bill Congress is allowed to have for the budget year, the expert said. Congress only gets the opportunity to write one filibuster-proof bill for each budget resolution. Congress has never passed a second reconciliation bill for the same budget, so to accomplish that, the parliamentarian, who oversees Senate rules and procedures, would likely have to be fired, the expert said. Johnson told reporters Tuesday that reconciliation 3.0 is the “best shot at accomplishing two key objectives of the people of this country.” “Number one: secure American elections by passing the SAVE America Act into law, as much of that as possible, that’s the objective,” he said. “Number two: protect and strengthen our homeland.” The SAVE America Act would require voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote in U.S. elections and would end mail-in ballots. Trump has endorsed its passage through reconciliation.  One pro-life operative told the Daily Signal her organization doesn’t want to derail the passage of the SAVE America Act, so it is willing to accept a bill excluding an abortion funding ban in exchange for future pro-life provisions.  Students for Life Action gave every single member of Congress an “F” for failing to renew the Planned Parenthood defund by July 4, but it is offering to reverse that grade for any member who demands that Trump’s Small Business Administration “debars” Planned Parenthood, which would block it from receiving any form of federal funding.  Rep. Harris said he trusts that Johnson understands how important it is to defund Planned Parenthood, which said its affiliates performed more than 434,000 abortions in the 2023-2024 reporting year.  “Speaker Johnson has assured me that he understands what we’re in, and that he is working diligently and creatively to find a way to get Planned Parenthood unfunded,” Harris told the Daily Signal.  While Harris thinks more involvement from the Trump administration could help move the needle, he still believes Trump is the most pro-life president in history.  President Donald Trump has not specified whether Congress should find a way to extend the defunding of Planned Parenthood, telling the Daily Signal in May, “To put it mildly, it’s been a very thorny issue.” “There’s no question that when the president speaks on things, that action is taken,” Harris said, “but I also point out that I think the president understands that really he has done more for the pro-life movement than we’ve seen in any other administration.” The White House did not respond to the Daily Signal’s request for comment. Harris would still like to see the administration act to restore the in-person dispensing requirement on the abortion drug, mifepristone.  “I’m going to continue to be pushing the conference,” he said. “I’m going to continue to be pushing the administration on these issues.”

The National Defense Authorization Act, which includes legislation requiring voter identification in federal elections, is now headed to the Senate after passing the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday in a 219-206 vote. Five Democrats voted for the bill: Reps. Don Davis, D-N.C., Jared Golden, D-Maine,, Adam Gray, D-Calif., Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash. The lone Republican to oppose the legislation was Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ark., Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and the bill’s sponsor, described the legislation as essential to addressing national security challenges and argued it fully funds the president’s requested defense budget. “The world is becoming more dangerous, and it has never been more important to have a strong, ready, and capable fighting force to defend our nation,” Rogers said in a statement after the bill passed the House Armed Services Committee. “The FY27 NDAA strengthens our ability to defend ourselves and deter our adversaries by revitalizing our defense industrial base, investing in innovative technologies, and restocking the Arsenal of Freedom. With this authorization of $1.15 trillion in discretionary funds, we’re delivering on President [Donald] Trump’s commitment to bring defense spending up to 4.5% of our GDP, and to reach a topline investment of $1.5 trillion in FY27.” The bill contains several key amendments for U.S. national security, including an attachment that would expand U.S.-Israel defense technology cooperation and integration. Israel has led the West’s fight against Islamic terrorism in the Middle East, successfully eliminating top Hamas, Iranian, and Hezbollah terrorists. Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who voted against the legislation, introduced a bipartisan amendment to strike the provision. However, the two were not successful in the effort.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court protected pesticide companies, ruling they are protected from liability even if they leave off a warning label. A new bipartisan bill hopes to change this and hold manufacturers accountable. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., joined a bipartisan group of members of Congress on Tuesday to introduce the Americans vs. Poisonous Pesticides Act. Luna has become one of the most active Make America Healthy Again members in the House and continues to take on pesticide companies. “The Supreme Court’s ruling created a loophole where EPA silence can be used to shield corporate silence,” Luna said. The Environmental Protection Agency is currently conducting a safety review of its previously approved pesticide, glyphosate, telling the Daily Signal it hopes to have the review completed by the end of the year. Until then, the agency is not pausing its approval of the label, and that approval is enough to act as a liability shield protecting the manufacturers. Luna says an EPA-approved label shouldn’t protect companies from lawsuits. “Families harmed by dangerous products should not lose their right to justice simply because a federal agency failed to require a warning. Our bill protects Americans’ ability to have their claims heard and makes clear that EPA approval is not a license for pesticide manufacturers to conceal serious risks,” she said. Luna joined Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and original co-sponsors Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, in introducing the bill. “In Monsanto v. Durnell, the Supreme Court ruled that Monsanto/Bayer can’t be sued for omitting a warning even if their herbicides do cause cancer,” Massie said. “Even if the legal reasoning of the court is sound, it’s a blatant travesty of justice. Congress and the president can fix this, and we absolutely should.” The bill does not seek to remove EPA registration or label approval; it would simply prevent EPA approval from automatically barring someone harmed by a pesticide from pursuing a state-law claim. The bill also allows manufacturers to act proactively. If a government report or study shows their product is harmful, they can update their product labeling without EPA approval. “Giant corporations do not need a liability shield when their product harms individuals. They need accountability. Americans deserve protection,” DeLauro said. “The Americans vs. Poisonous Pesticides Act restores a basic principle: Corporations that put profits ahead of people’s health should be held accountable. No one should lose their right to seek justice because a chemical company found a legal loophole,” Pingree said. Luna and Pingree are also working together on legislation to end all legal use of another herbicide, paraquat. Like glyphosate, it is commonly used but has been linked to Parkinson’s disease Paraquat is produced in large quantities in China. The EPA did not immediately respond to the Daily Signal’s request for comment.