Monday, March 23rd, 2026
The House is planning to vote this week on another bill to fund the Homeland Security Department, which is entering its sixth week of a partial shutdown, along with a resolution expressing gratitude for DHS employees.
Senators met with officials over the weekend to seek an agreement on reopening the department and modifying immigration enforcement procedures, and is expected to vote to confirm Sen. Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The Rules Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow on the two DHS measures, along with bills to create a commission to oversee crime prevention efforts in Washington, DC, and to prevent vessels from entering US ports if they previously visited Western Hemisphere countries where US-owned port facilities have been seized.
The House Rules Committee is set to meet on March 24 to set the terms of floor debate on the four measures, which would need simple majorities for passage or adoption.
The House is slated to consider another 15 measures under suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority. The list includes a measure to update Federal Aviation Administration regulations to allow civilian aircraft to operate at supersonic speeds in US airspace, and a measure to allow recreational drones to be flown in a broader range of airspace. Action is also planned on a bill that would create an alternative regulatory system for the professional boxing industry, through “unified boxing organizations.”
House business is planned for tomorrow through Friday, according to the weekly schedule from Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA).
FY 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations — HR 8029, Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act. The House this week will again consider a stand-alone FY 2026 Homeland Security spending bill that is nearly identical to the bipartisan negotiated version dropped from a final spending package in January after the killing of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. The shutdown of DHS is entering its sixth week, and Republicans say it must be fully funded to protect the homeland against rising threats sparked by the war with Iran. Democrats continue to staunchly oppose funding ICE and CBP without substantive changes to immigration enforcement practices, and have proposed funding the department outside of those agencies — filing a discharge petition on a measure to do so. While Democrats and the White House have continued to exchange "reform" proposals, each accuses the other of not negotiating seriously. The measure is expected to be considered under a closed rule that prohibits amendments. (Write Congress)
Express Support for Full DHS Funding — H Res 1128, Supporting the Homeland Security Department. The resolution states that the House recognizes the importance of fully funding the Homeland Security Department and that partial funding of individual DHS components would create uncertainty in a heightened threat environment. Although DHS is "shut down," most Homeland employees continue to work, as they are considered essential. More than 300 TSA workers have resigned, which has drastically increased airline passenger security wait times at airports. The measure is expected to be considered under a closed rule that prohibits amendments. (Write Congress)
Defending American Property — HR 7084, Defending American Property Abroad Act. The bill authorizes the president to deny entry into U.S. ports to vessels that use ports in Western Hemisphere countries that have free trade agreements with the U.S. and have seized American property — which is intended to apply a port in Mexico developed by the U.S. company Vulcan Materials that has been seized by the Mexican government. Republicans say it protects American companies by imposing serious consequences on foreign governments that steal from Americans. Democrats say it is written to benefit one company and grants the president a power that could be exploited to serve a rogue foreign policy agenda. The measure is expected to be considered under a closed rule that prohibits amendments. (Write Congress)
Federal Commission for D.C. Safety & Maintenance — HR 5103, Make the District of Columbia Safe & Beautiful Act. The bill establishes a federal commission to promote collaboration with the D.C. local government to enforce federal immigration priorities and increase the processing of concealed carry license requests. It also requires the Interior Department to coordinate and maintain District monuments and public spaces. Republicans say it is essential to maintain the lower crime rates achieved by the collaboration between the District and federal law enforcement. Democrats say it continues the erosion of District home rule and simply seeks to support President Trump's desire to control the city. The measure is expected to be considered under a closed rule that prohibits amendments. (Write Congress)
