Secure America: The Senate passed S.2 (52-47), which is the Immigration-Border Reconciliation bill. Under the bill, the Department of Homeland Security would receive $69.5 billion in multiyear funding. The legislation would also fund President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda through the end of his term while bypassing the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and the need to obtain Democratic support. The total includes $38.5 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and $26 billion for Customs and Border Protection. All funds would remain available through fiscal 2029.

 The final version dropped the requested $1 billion in Secret Service funds to support White House security upgrades related to President Trump’s ballroom project following objections from lawmakers. Lawmakers also extracted a pledge from the administration to scrap the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund.”  The bill does not include restrictions on ICE officer tactics, including requiring agents to ban the wearing of face masks, and requiring them to wear body cameras and identification.

 Iran War Powers: The House passed H.Con.Res.86  (215-208), which directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran. The Republican-led House voted to halt the US war with Iran, breaking with President Donald Trump on a foreign conflict that is taking an escalating economic toll on Americans. Last month, a Senate resolution to end the war also advanced past a procedural hurdle for the first time, though that legislation hasn’t yet come to a formal vote.

 Lebanon War Powers: The House failed to pass H.Con.Res.84 (324-92), which directs the President, under the War Powers Act, to remove U.S. Armed Forces from Lebanon. The resolution aims to halt U.S. military participation in and coordination of Israel's operations in Lebanon, invoking the 1973 War Powers Act to force a vote on unapproved foreign deployments.

 Ukraine Aid and Russia Sanctions: The House passed H.R.2913 (226-195), which would authorize additional US security assistance and economic investment for Ukraine. It would also impose new financial sanctions and export restrictions on Russia for as long as it continues its invasion of Ukraine.

 No Funds for Repeat Child Care Violations: The House passed H.R.7726 (217-207), which mandates new restrictions and requirements aimed at minimizing fraudulent payments through the Child Care and Development Block Grant program. The bill would require additional federal reviews over how states administer their childcare assistance programs and bar states from receiving grant funds if their improper payment rate exceeds 5% for two consecutive years. Childcare providers who defraud childcare assistance grants or childcare food assistance would be permanently disbarred from receiving funds from either program. President Donald Trump and other Republicans have called for increased scrutiny over childcare assistance programs in recent months in response to allegations of fraud and misuse of funds against social services organizations in Minnesota that drew national attention

 2027 Agriculture Funding: The House passed H.R.8646 (213-210), which outlines a $26.27 billion discretionary budget that funds USDA agricultural research, food safety inspections, domestic nutrition initiatives, and the FDA. The bill would also improve the “tracking system of foreign-owned land. While the bill boosts funding for school lunch and breakfast programs, agricultural research, and state and local food safety inspections, it reduces funding for the Farm Service Agency, rural wastewater and businesses development grants, and the Food for Peace Program. It also resets WIC spending to pre-pandemic levels.

 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Rule: The Senate failed to move forward on S.J.Res.188 (46-53), which would have restored stricter emissions standards for coal- and oil-fired power plants, imposed by the Biden administration in 2024 and then were repealed by the Trump administration. The joint resolution would have reinstated an EPA rule that would lower the amount of allowable emissions of filterable particulate matter from coal power and mercury from lignite coal power.

 American Battlefield Protection Program: The House passed H.R.7618, which extends through FY2036 three National Park Service (NPS) grant programs that preserve U.S. battlefields and requires the NPS to study additional sites for potential preservation.

 ARTIST Act: The House passed S.254, which protects the cultural practices and livelihoods of Alaska Native handicraft producers. It prevents individual states from banning the sale or possession of legally produced marine mammal ivory, bone, and baleen.

Fighting Fraud: The House is set to take up several fraud prevention measures aimed at cracking down on payments being sent out to fraudulent recipients. H.R.8312, Fraud Prevention and Accountability, seeks to create a permanent Fraud Accountability Office under the Inspector General while H.R.8464, Stopping Fraudulent Payments, seeks to temporarily delay payment vouchers if the agency or the Secretary of the Treasury determines there is sufficient reason to flag an elevated risk of fraud.

PROTECT Kids: The House passed H.R.2616 (217-198), which requires public elementary and middle schools, as a condition of receiving certain federal funds for elementary and secondary education, to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender on school forms or changing a student's sex-based accommodations.

21st Century ROAD to Housing: The House passed H.R.6644, agreeing to an added Senate amendment and adding their own that would prevent large institutional investors from holding "build-to-rent" homes for more than seven years. The bill would revise federal housing programs, including expanding available financing for affordable housing and providing grants for planning and community development activities. It aims to lower housing construction costs and expand inventory by eliminating unnecessary federal red tape. It now goes back to the Senate, and if passed, it would mark a win for lawmakers who sought to rein in large institutional investors’ involvement in residential real estate, with the latest House version incorporating senators’ restrictions.

Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization:  The House passed S.2393, which is bipartisan legislation that officially authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to execute major medical facility construction, modernization, and expansion projects.  Because the federal budget process involves both authorizing the scope/locations of projects and appropriating the funds, this act serves as the legal blueprint for the VA's major infrastructure plans.

Veterans’ 2nd Amendment Protection: The House passed H.R.1041 (216-201), which would protect veterans' Second Amendment rights. It ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot arbitrarily report a veteran to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) merely because they require a fiduciary to help manage their financial benefits.

Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion:  The House passed H.R.6047 (235-179), which would increase the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) monthly compensation benefit for service-connected, catastrophically disabled veterans and the surviving families of 100% disabled or deceased veterans.

American Access to Banking: The House passed H.R.4544, which is a bipartisan legislative effort designed to promote the creation of new community banks and credit unions—known as de novo depository institutions. It directs federal financial regulators to streamline the formation and application process for new institutions in order to serve underserved communities and expand mortgage and financing options.

Keeping Deposits Local: The House passed H.R.3234, which is a bipartisan bill that would allow community and regional banks to accept more "reciprocal deposits" without facing the strict caps and regulations applied to "brokered deposits". Regulatory focus on deposit stability has intensified since the banking crisis of 2023, which revealed how quickly uninsured deposits can flee due to concerns about counterparty risk, causing financial institutions and their customers to focus on safety and value of deposit insurance more than ever before.

Community Bank Deposit Access: The House passed H.R.5317, which is a bipartisan financial services bill that allows well-capitalized community banks to treat certain custodial and fiduciary deposits as stable core funds rather than heavily restricted "brokered deposits". The legislation focuses on bringing more stable, low-cost funding to community financial institutions.

Lulu’s Law: The House passed S.1003, which is a bipartisan piece of legislation that amends Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules to explicitly authorize state and local authorities to transmit Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) to mobile phones in the event of a shark attack or dangerous shoreline conditions.

Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum: The House failed to pass H.R.1329 (204-216), which would have designated at a specified site for The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum to be built. Democrats voted against the bill due to a last minute addition of a provision that the museum would have to be dedicated to “preserving, researching, and presenting the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women.” It would be prohibited from identifying, presenting, describing, or otherwise depicting “any biological male as a female.”

Immigration Budget Bill: Congressional leaders have pushed votes on their long-sought immigration budget bill until after they return the first week of June. Last week’s abrupt cancellation of votes came as Senate Republicans struggled to agree on legislative text amid an eleventh-hour fight over a new Justice Department "anti-weaponization" fund. GOP leaders will need nearly every Republican vote on the bill (S.2), which would provide nearly $70 billion for Immigration and Customs and Enforcement and the Border Patrol. Those agencies have been without regular appropriations since mid-February. Democrats have refused to back that funding without new restrictions on federal immigration agents.

Congress will be on Recess the week of May 25th in observance of Memorial Day. They will return to normally scheduled business on June 2nd. Be looking for your next R&P on June 8th.

Withholding Pay During Shutdowns: The Senate passed S.Res.529, which would withhold Senator’s pay during government shutdowns. Under the resolution, Senators’ pay would be withheld by the Secretary of the Senate whenever a government shutdown affects one or more agencies, then released once funding is restored. It will take effect the day after the Nov. 3 general election and does not apply to the House.

Military Construction-VA Spending: The House passed H.R.8469, which is a bipartisan $157 billion package that fully funds veterans' healthcare and dedicates over $19 billion to military construction, focusing on base improvements, housing, and infrastructure. The bill provides $323.9 billion for mandatory programs, for a total of $469.49 billion in overall funding for Fiscal Year 2027.

War Powers Resolution: The House failed to pass H.Con.Res.75 (212-212), which calls for the termination of U.S. military action against Iran unless authorized by Congress. The measure is the third War Powers resolution that the House has considered since the war began and is being considered pursuant to a unanimous consent agreement.

Prioritizing the Release of Christian Pastors: The House passed H.Res.1259, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should prioritize securing the release of Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai detained by the People’s Republic of China during future engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Countering Antisemitism: The House passed H.Res.1251, which calls on officials to counter hate, educate the public on Jewish-American contributions, and ensure safety for Jewish communities.

Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets: The House passed H.R.6260 (243-179), which states that entities and organizations that pay cash bond or bail for defendants are engaged in the business of insurance under federal law and subject to federal criminal provisions related to insurance fraud, as well as state licensing requirements and regulation by state insurance commissions.

Cashless Bail Reporting: The House passed H.R.5625 (308-116), which requires the Department of Justice to publish a list annually of state and local governments that permit individuals who are charged with certain criminal offenses, that pose a clear threat to public safety, and order to be released pending trial on personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond.

Combating Organized Retail Crime: The House passed H.R.2853, which expands federal enforcement of criminal offenses related to organized retail and supply chain crime. The term organized retail and supply chain crime includes criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property, the sale or receipt of stolen goods, or theft from an interstate or foreign shipment that is committed by, in coordination with, or at the instruction of an organization.

Memorializing Law Enforcement Officers: The House passed H.Res.1252, which expresses support for police officers and other law enforcement personnel. The resolution further recognizes law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities; the need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while they are protecting the public; and the law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism.

Expressing Support for Law Enforcement Officers: The House passed H.Con.Res.96 (243-173), which states that Congress appreciates the contributions of law enforcement to our communities and country and recognizes the extraordinary sacrifice law enforcement officers make and expresses profound and wholehearted support for the men and women of law enforcement. 

Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice: The House passed H.R.1346 (218-203), which amends the Clean Air Act to address the limitations on Reid Vapor Pressure (a measure of gasoline's volatility) that are placed on gasoline during the summer ozone season. This change allows gasoline that is blended with 10% to 15% ethanol to be sold year-round. The bill nullifies existing state exclusions, but states may submit documentation after enactment of the bill to be excluded going forward.

SCORE Act: The House is set to consider H.R. 4312, which regulates collegiate Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules and codifies the NCAA's legal settlement into federal law.

Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids: The House is also set to consider H.R.2616, which is legislation designed to enhance parental rights and restrict gender ideology in federally funded schools. 

Endangered Species Act (ESA): H.R.1897 would ease restrictions on industry activities, such as Gulf of Mexico oil drilling, through "God Squad" exemptions, alongside proposed rules that limit critical habitat designations and increase state management authority over species recovery.

Budget for the United States Government: The House passed S.Con.Res.33 (215-211), which directs Senate and House committees to write legislation to fund immigration enforcement agencies through the end of President Donald Trump’s second term. Passing the resolution would tee up the budget reconciliation process, letting Republican lawmakers provide mandatory funds for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol while bypassing Democratic opposition in the Senate — as long as the spending provisions comply with specific budget rules. The budget resolution’s reconciliation instructions would allow the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees to start drafting legislation to appropriate up to $70 billion each for the covered agencies through fiscal 2035.

DHS Funding: The House passed H.R.7147, which is the Senate passed DHS funding bill, ending the record 75-day partial government shutdown. President Donald Trump signed the measure into law Thursday, April 30th, funding DHS agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Secret Service through the end of September. At the end of the day, nothing was achieved. Republicans now plan to fund CBP and ICE through a partisan, filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process, while Democrats will receive none of the reforms they had demanded—the same demands that led to the shutdown in the first place.

Iran War Powers: The Senate rejected a motion to move forward on S.J.Res.184 (47-50), which would direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. The legislation fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to move forward.

Farm, Food, and National Security: The House passed H.R.7567 (224-200), which modifies and reauthorizes for five years, through FY 2031, federal farm, nutrition assistance, rural development, conservation, forestry, trade, and other programs administered by the Agriculture Department. It creates new programs for nutrition assistance, trade and conservation, while repealing or scaling back other conservation, wetland and energy programs.

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance: The House passed S.4465 (261-111), which extends, for about six weeks, Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). FISA governs how US intelligence agencies can collect and search through phone calls, emails, text messages, and other electronic communications to or from agents of foreign governments and suspected terrorists located outside of the country. Opposition has been raised in response to reauthorizing FISA Section 702, which allows electronic surveillance without a warrant of non-U.S. persons overseas. The Senate passed the measure by unanimous consent on April 30th.

Revive Automatic Work Permit Extensions: The Senate rejected S.J.Res.99 (47-50), which would repeal the Trump administration’s rule ending automatic extensions for work permits. The interim final rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security on Oct. 30, ended the agency’s practice of granting automatic 540-day extensions to qualifying foreign workers when their employment authorization document card expired, allowing them to continue to work. DHS said in an Oct. 29 news release it made the change to prioritize vetting and screening of foreign workers before granting a new EAD card and instructed foreign workers to seek renewals up to 180 days before their card’s expiration. The legislation fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to move forward.

Colorado Plan to Retire Coal-Powered Plants: The Senate rejected S.J.Res.139 (46-52), which would have repealed the Trump administration’s disapproval of a Colorado plan to retire coal-powered plants to. Colorado submitted the plan to the Environmental Protection Agency in 2022 under the Clean Air Act’s Regional Haze Program, which requires states and federal agencies to work together to improve visibility in 156 national parks and wilderness areas by 2064.

IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement: The House passed H.R.7959, which would incentivize whistleblower reporting by requiring payment of interest on certain whistleblower awards and allowing whistleblowers to deduct attorney fees. The bill also would allow whistleblowers to proceed anonymously in the Tax Court and require de novo review of whistleblower awards.

Clergy Act: The House passed H.R.227, which creates a limited two-year window allowing clergy who previously opted out of Social Security and Medicare to revoke that election and re-enter the programs. During this window, eligible clergy would once again pay into Social Security and Medicare going forward, restoring access to future benefits. Under existing federal law, clergy members have the option to opt into Social Security and Medicare taxes upon their ordination. Once a clergy member did not opt in, they were permanently excluded from Social Security and Medicare coverage for any future ministerial employment wages.

Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration: The House passed S.1318 (235-191), which would mandate the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) identify Jewish soldiers from WWI and WWII buried in overseas military cemeteries under incorrect markers (e.g., Latin Crosses). It establishes a program to contact descendants and correct the markers.

Congress will be on Recess the week of May 4th and will return to normally scheduled business on May 12th. Be looking for your next R&P on May 18th.