Monday, March 30th, 2026
DHS Funding: As of late March 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in the midst of a record-setting partial government shutdown, now in its 44th day. The impasse stems from a funding dispute in Congress: the House passed a full-year funding bill, but Senate Democrats blocked it with a filibuster. In contrast, the Senate approved a partial funding measure that excluded funding and policy changes for ICE; however, House Republicans rejected that proposal, insisting on funding for immigration enforcement and opposing any reforms to ICE. Both Chambers have left for a two-week recess without funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
American Property: The House passed (247-164) H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, imposes retaliatory prohibitions to deter and punish any foreign nation that unlawfully seizes American assets, making sure American businesses are safeguarded from unjust expropriation.
Iran War Powers: The Senate voted down S.J.Res.116 (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.
Pay Our Homeland Defenders: The House passed H.R.8029 (218-206), which is the third funding bill passed to provide appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the remainder of FY2026. Due to Senate passage of another funding bill, this one is now dead.
Support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security: The House passed H.Res.1128 (225-187), which is a nonbinding resolution that expresses support for fully funding DHS. Funding only some DHS agencies would “degrade” coordination, the measure states, and “create uncertainty in an increasingly heightened threat environment.”
Abortion Services and Counseling for Veterans: The Senate rejected (48-50) a motion a procedural motion to advance S.J.Res.103, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution intended to nullify the final rule published on December 31, 2025, which stripped back 2022 policy allowing abortions in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the health of the veteran.
Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful: The House passed H.R.5103 (218-206), which would establish a federal commission to oversee and coordinate law enforcement in Washington, DC, and a new program would seek to maintain cleanliness in the city, under H.R. 5103. The bill would largely codify a March 2025 executive order, which established a similar commission and program. Among its stated goals are to encourage “maximum enforcement” of federal immigration laws in the DC area.
American Water Stewardship: The House passed H.R.6422, reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Long Island Sound and Columbia River Basin Restoration programs, the National Estuary Program, and the EPA’s BEACH Act program. All of these programs will help address water quality issues and carry out ecosystem restoration projects around the country.
