Monday, June 16th, 2025
DOGE Cuts to PBS, NPR, and AID: The House passed H.R.4 (214-212), which makes $9.4 billion in federal spending cuts recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The bill would codify DOGE’s unilateral $8.3 billion in cuts to the US Agency for International Development and the US Institute of Peace. The measure also approves cuts of more than $1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR).
Denouncing the Antisemitic Terrorist Attack in Boulder, Colorado: The House passed H.res.488 (280-113), which formally condemns the June 1, 2025, antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado. In addition to condemning the attack, the resolution also calls for enhanced, commonsense vetting procedures and stresses the importance of communication between local law enforcement and their federal counterparts in sanctuary states like Colorado. The resolution passed with a bipartisan vote.
Condemning the Rise in Ideologically Motivated Attacks on Jewish Individuals: The House passed H.Res.481, which condemns the June 1, 2025, targeted act of terror in Boulder, Colorado, as an act of ideologically motivated violence and reaffirms the House of Representatives' commitment to protecting the rights of all Americans to assemble peacefully and practice their faith without fear of violence.
Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency: The House passed H.R.2096 (235-178), which would restore the right of law enforcement officers in the District of Columbia to negotiate disciplinary matters through collective bargaining. This means that police unions and officers would be able to discuss and agree on terms related to discipline, including procedures and consequences for misconduct. The change would undo previous amendments made by a 2022 law that removed this capacity for collective negotiation. Additionally, the bill seeks to restore the statute of limitations for bringing claims against members or civilian employees of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Banning Non-citizens from Voting in D.C.: The House passed H.R.884 (266-148), which prohibits a non-U.S. citizen from voting in a District of Columbia (DC) election and repeals relevant provisions of DC law. Federal law prohibits noncitizens from voting in a federal election; however, in 2022, DC enacted a law allowing noncitizens who meet residency and other requirements to vote in local elections. This bill repeals the DC law, which went into effect on February 23, 2023.
D.C. Federal Immigration Compliance: The House passed H.R.2056 (224-, which prohibits the District of Columbia (DC) from limiting its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement activities, except for certain instances involving witnesses and victims of crime. Specifically, the bill bars DC from adopting a law, policy, or practice prohibiting DC governmental entities from sending, receiving, maintaining, or exchanging information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of any individual with a federal, state, or local government entity. Further, DC may not adopt a law, policy, or practice of not complying with lawful requests from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to comply with a detainer for, or notify about the release of, an individual from custody. (A detainer is a formal request from DHS that a state or locality hold an individual in custody for up to 48 hours after the individual would otherwise be released so that DHS may facilitate the individual's removal.)
HALT Fentanyl: The House passed (321-104), which permanently classifies all “fentanyl-related substances” (FRS) in Schedule I, which has been done on a temporary basis since 2018. Substances classified as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act are defined as a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and mandatory minimum administrative, civil, and criminal penalties. The bill expands mandatory minimum sentencing for manufacturing, importing, or possessing FRS with intent to distribute.
American Cargo for American Ships: The House passed H.R.2035, which is a bipartisan bill that aims to strengthen U.S. Cargo preference laws and promote American economic growth. The legislation would increase cargo preference for all U.S. Department of Transportation cargoes to 100 percent. The Cargo Preference Act of 1954 requires that 50 percent of Civilian Agencies' cargo and Agricultural Cargo be carried on U.S.-flagged vessels – it is the maritime industry’s “Buy America” law. Maritime Administration (MARAD) is the lead federal agency that manages Cargo Preference activities and compliance.
