Monday, March 23rd, 2026
Iran War Powers: The Senate voted down S.J.Res.118 (47-53), which would direct the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by Congress. This is the second time in a month the Senate has voted down a measure of this kind. More measures are expected to be taken up in the near future.
Deporting Fraudsters: The House passed H.R.1958 (231-186), which makes foreign nationals inadmissible to the United States and deportable if they admit to or are convicted of defrauding the federal government or unlawfully receiving federal benefits administered by federal, state or local governments.
Federal Working Animal Protection: The House passed H.R.4638 (228-190), which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to expand the grounds for inadmissibility for noncitizen migrants who are convicted of, admit to having committed, or admit committing acts that constitute harming animals used in law enforcement.
Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals (BOWOW): The House passed H.R.4638 (228-190), which makes foreign nationals inadmissible to the United States and deportable if they are convicted of, or admit to, harming animals used in law enforcement operations.
Small Business Innovation and Economic Security: The House passed S.3971, which would reauthorizes through FY2031 and modify the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs. Specifically, the bill expands the requirements for federal agencies administering these programs to evaluate the security risks of the small businesses that apply for awards under the programs. If an agency denies an application for security reasons, the agency must provide the small business with the basis for such a determination.
Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers: The House passed H.R.556 (215-202), would prohibit the Interior and Agriculture departments from banning the use of lead-based hunting ammunition and fishing tackle or limiting the level of lead in those items for use on federal lands or waters. It allows exemptions for particular lands or waters if the area is experiencing a decline in wildlife populations due to the use of lead ammo or tackle.
Mitigation Action and Watermen Support: The House passed H.R.4294, which requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a pilot program to facilitate the purchase of blue catfish caught within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Under the program, NOAA must enter into cooperative agreements with manufacturers or processors of pet food, animal feed, or aquaculture feed for the purchase of blue catfish from watermen and seafood processors. NOAA must determine the minimum price per pound after considering market factors; feedback from watermen, seafood processors, and participants in the program; and differentiation of price points for fillet and byproduct.
