The thesis is not just intact — it has effectively resolved. Section 702 lapsed June 12 with the Senate's reauthorization vote failing, and existing FISC certifications running to March 2027 removed all urgency, exactly as the original audit argued. The kill shot is the calendar: the Senate recessed August 10 and does not return until mid-September, and the House is out until Aug 31 — so no bill can pass both chambers and be signed before the Sep 1 close. Nothing was slipped through pre-recess (Brennan Center 702 tracker). NO wins with near-certainty.
Why exit anyway: the position marks 99¢ — capital-free territory — and resolution is still 11 days out, beyond our ~7-day hold window. Selling into the 1,500-contract bid at 99¢ books 7¢ of the 8¢ maximum, frees the capital, and drops the (tiny) tail for the price of one cent. Liquidity is ample for the exit.