State of the Union Address: President Donald Trump gave his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday, Feb. 24th, the longest in US history.

 In a two-hour speech delivered to a joint session of Congress, President Trump focused much of his speech on his economic agenda, touting his administration's effort to lower consumer prices. He said his policies have lowered the cost of housing, healthcare, and energy. He also announced that the White House plans to create retirement accounts for Americans without employer-sponsored plans, with qualified enrollees eligible to receive a $1,000 annual match from the federal government.

 President Trump spoke about tax breaks in his One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trump Accounts, his recently unveiled plan to increase healthcare cost transparency, and his efforts to make mortgages more accessible. He also defended the White House's tariff policies, despite what he called a "disappointing" ruling by the Supreme Court.

 He called on Congress to pass legislation that would "end deadly sanctuary cities" as well as legislation "barring any state from granting commercial driver's licenses to illegal aliens." Other asks included passing voter ID legislation (S.1383), codifying his health care plan and passing a measure to restrict lawmakers' stock trading (H.R.7008).

 President Trump dedicated the bulk of the second half of the speech to national security, in what was at once a foreign policy victory lap of his first year back in office and a warning to Iran, reiterating his oft-repeated tagline that in the first year of his second term he had ended eight wars -- and hoped that the ongoing war in Ukraine would be the ninth.

 Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) Funding: The Senate failed to move forward on H.R.7147 (50-45), which would fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the partial government shutdown that is currently taking place. The major sticking point has been over reigning in Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Democrats have been demanding reforms to how the Trump administration carries out its immigration enforcement campaign as a condition of funding DHS.

 Information Quality Assurance: The House passed H.R.6329, would require that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) update guidance to improve the quality of information and evidence that federal agencies use to promulgate federal regulations. 

 Preventing Mid-Air Collisions: The House failed to pass S.2503 (264-133), which would have  required all civilian and military aircraft that operate in civilian airspace nationwide to be equipped with certain aircraft tracking technology to prevent mid-air collisions like the one over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. in January 2025. It would also repeal FY 2026 Defense Authorization provisions that prescribe less rigorous anti-collision systems for military helicopters operating in D.C. airspace and allow them to turn off their position signaling devices. A two-thirds majority was required to clear the legislation under a fast-track procedure. More than 130 Republicans voted against it.

 The Senate passed the bill unanimously in December. But it stalled in the House amid opposition from Transportation Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.), who recently introduced his own bipartisan bill. In recent weeks, the cross-chamber fight intensified, ultimately culminating in the rare floor defeat for a bill that was being considered under a process typically reserved for non-controversial legislation.

 Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances: The House passed H.R.4626 (217-190), which overhauls the Energy Department's process for setting consumer product efficiency standards, including by ending the requirement to review standards every six years. DOE would be prohibited from setting an efficiency standard without first prescribing a test procedure for the product, and it must conduct an economic analysis to determine if the standard is economically justified; standards must result in minimum energy or water savings prescribed by the bill and could not reduce a product's utility or performance.

 Homeowner Energy Freedom: The House passed H.R.4758 (210-199), which repeals three sections of the 2022 Democratic climate, health and tax reconciliation law (PL 117-169) that established energy efficiency and green energy programs, and it rescinds an estimated $300 million in unobligated funds appropriated by that law for those programs. Programs to be repealed include Home Electrification and Appliances Rebates, Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants, and the Energy Efficient Building Codes grant program.

Iran War Powers Resolution This concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res.38) directs the president, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific congressional authorization for use of military force.

Balance Budget Amendment The House looks to consider, under suspension of the rules, H.J.Res.139, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring a balanced budget for the Federal Government. A two-thirds vote of the Members present and voting is required for passage under suspension of the rules in the House of Representatives.

Pulled From Consideration

Deporting Fraudsters Under H.R. 1958, the bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make non-citizens who have defrauded the United States government or unlawfully received public benefits both inadmissible for entry and deportable if they are already in the country.

Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act Under H.R.4638, the BOWOW Act, animals used by federal law enforcement agencies would be protected. In June, an immigrant from Egypt assaulted a Customs and Border Patrol agriculture detector dog, Freddie, a beagle who had detected prohibited items in the luggage of the offending immigrant at Dulles Airport.

FY 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations The House looks to 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 deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.

Democrats and the White House have been trading proposals on possible "reforms" to immigration enforcement practices, without much progress, and Democrats say they won't fund ICE and CBP without fundamental reforms.

The government has warned of possible terrorist threats to the U.S. in response to the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, and GOP leaders are bringing the new stand-alone bill (which includes ICE and CBP funding) to the floor to challenge Democrats to reopen the Homeland Security Department; the department is technically "shut down," although most employees are still required to work.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE): The House passed S.1383 (218-213), which requires that individuals provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections and requires voters to present photo identification in order to cast a ballot. It also requires states to remove noncitizens from their existing voter rolls, provides states with access to federal databases to help identify noncitizens and requires states to submit their voter rolls to the Homeland Security Department for vetting, and allows private citizens to sue election officials who register individuals to vote without receiving proof of citizenship while also establishing criminal penalties against such officials. It is being considered as an amendment to a Senate passed bill, Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee, to eliminate in the Senate an initial opportunity for Democrats to filibuster the measure.

Homeland Security Funding: The Senate rejected a motion to begin consideration of H.R.7147 (52-47), failing to send the House passed bill to the President. Senate Democrats want to stop "roving patrols" by immigration enforcement agents and arrests at churches and schools; bar agents from wearing masks; and require judicial warrants, not just administrative warrants, for arrests. Republicans, on the other hand, want to curtail jurisdictions known as sanctuary cities, which they criticize for refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, and prevent doxing of immigration officials. Current DHS funding was set to run out on Feb. 13th.

Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate: The House passed H.R.2189 (233-185), which establishes the term “less-than-lethal projectile device” in Federal statute. The updated definition would ensure that these devices are properly classified by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) based on a new five step criteria. A device that cannot fire projectiles at velocities exceeding 500 feet per second and is designed in a manner that minimizes the likelihood of causing death or serious injury would be re-classified as a less-than-lethal projectile device and no longer be considered a firearm. Mostly used for crowd control, such weapons generally include beanbag guns and rubber bullets, pepper spray and rounds, and stun guns and tasers.

Eliminating Tariffs on Canada: The House passed H.J.Res.72 (219-211), which ends the national emergency declared by President Donald Trump on Feb. 1, 2025, under which the president imposed new tariffs on goods from Canada. The Executive Order invoking the emergency cited Canada's failure to stem the flow of illicit drugs entering the United States, especially fentanyl.

Undersea Cable Protection: The House passed H.R.261 (218-212), which prohibits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from requiring any additional permitting (including a Special Use Permit) for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair or recovery of undersea fiber optic cable projects within a National Marine Sanctuary — if the cable project has been previously authorized by a federal or state agency.

Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply: The House passed H.R.3617 (223-203), which expands the statutory mission of the Energy Department by requiring it to assess and take actions to strengthen the nation's supply of critical energy resources. It defines a "critical energy resource" as any energy resource that is essential to the energy sector and energy systems of the United States, and for which the supply chain is vulnerable to disruption.

PROTECT Taiwan: The House passed H.R.1531, which directs the United States to exclude China from a variety of international financial institutions if Chinese actions threaten Taiwan's security.

Housing for the 21st Century: The House passed H.R.6644, which would require the Housing and Urban Development Department would issue new zoning and design blueprints for cities and states, expand affordable housing aid, and ease certain regulations for federally funded housing developments. Under the bill, HUD would draw up best practices for state and local governments on zoning codes and home designs. The agency would expand a grant program previously limited to low-income households and create several new programs aimed at borrowers, tenants, and families living in affordable housing. It also would modify a number of regulatory requirements to develop and build housing, including by exempting certain projects from environmental reviews.

Congress will be on Recess the week of Feb. 16th. Although they have been told to be ready to fly back should a DHS funding deal be made. They will return to normally scheduled business on Feb. 23rd. Be looking for your next R&P on March 2nd.

Government Funding: Congress passed H.R.7148, which is a $1.2 trillion fiscal year (FY) 2026 minibus funding package, including securing full-year appropriations for major federal departments including Defense, HHS, Education, Transportation, and HUD, through September 2026. The bill, which avoided a shutdown, maintains core education/research funding, extends telehealth, and includes a short-term, two-week funding measure for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Critical Mineral Dominance: The House passed H.R.4090 (224-195), which would expand mining on federal lands in the US to counter China’s global dominance of critical minerals used in everything from defense equipment to cell phones. The bill would codify parts of President Donald Trump’s executive actions on boosting domestic critical mineral extraction, production, and processing. If passed, the Interior Department would have to expedite approval of priority hardrock mining projects on federal lands. Hardrock minerals include iron, copper, zinc, and steel, as well as precious metals such as gold and silver. They are largely imported into the US, including from China, for use in manufacturing electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, semiconductors, defense equipment, and other technology.

Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement: The House passed H.R.980, aims to improve the VA’s Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program by increasing counseling flexibility, expanding approved vocational training options, strengthening outreach, and setting clearer timelines for benefit decisions. 

Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits: The House passed H.R.3123, which allows pension benefits awarded to a veteran before death—but paid afterward—to be distributed to surviving family members or the veteran’s estate, rather than reverting back to the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

DHS Funding: Political and procedural hurdles to a possible immigration enforcement compromise are mounting ahead of a Feb. 13 stopgap funding deadline for the Department of Homeland Security, leaving many members unsure if the lift is possible. House and Senate Democratic leadership sent Republican leadership a proposal. But GOP senators have said they're already eyeing another extension for DHS funding beyond the current deadline. Democrats want to stop "roving patrols" by immigration enforcement agents and arrests at churches and schools; bar agents from wearing masks; and require judicial warrants, not just administrative warrants, for arrests. Republicans, on the other hand, want to curtail jurisdictions known as sanctuary cities, which they criticize for refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, and prevent doxing of immigration officials.

Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate: The House is set to consider H.R.2189, which establishes the term “less-than-lethal projectile device” in Federal statute. The updated definition would ensure that these devices are properly classified by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) based on a new five step criteria. A device that cannot fire projectiles at velocities exceeding 500 feet per second and is designed in a manner that minimizes the likelihood of causing death or serious injury would be re-classified as a less-than-lethal projectile device and no longer be considered a firearm. 

Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply: The House is set to begin debate on H.R.3617, which redefines "critical energy resource" to empower the Department of Energy with a clear mandate: to secure the supply of minerals essential to our energy sector. Key strategies include launching a domestic strategic reserve (Project Vault), strengthening domestic mining and processing, recycling, and fostering international partnerships.  

Undersea Cable Protection: The House will consider H.R.261, which prohibits the Department of Commerce from enforcing certain permit requirements for activities related to undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries. 

Extending Public Safety Network: The House Energy and Commerce Committee is looking to move forward in extending the authority of FirstNet, the nation’s wireless broadband network that serves first responders and public safety officials, before the program expires in February 2027. Since the program’s inception 15 years ago in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks — which showed critical public communications failures and shortcomings — the network has expanded to serve over 7 million connections nationwide. Firefighters, medical professionals, police officers, and other public safety personnel rely on the network during emergencies and disasters.

War Powers in Venezuela: The Senate rejected a motion to proceed on S.J.Res.98 (50-50) that would have constrained President Donald Trump's war powers in Venezuela unless specifically authorized by Congress. The bill failed after pressure from the White House flipped two of the five Republicans who had aligned with Democrats to pass the measure.

ACA (Obamacare): The Senate rejected a motion to move forward with consideration of S.J.Res.84 (47-52), which would repeal a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule titled "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability.” The rule was issued in 2025 to enhance ACA marketplace integrity, including stricter income verification, allowing insurers to deny coverage for unpaid premiums, and new rules for special enrollment periods.

Financial Services and National Security-State Appropriations: The House passed H.R.7006, which would provide $76 billion in appropriations for fiscal 2026. The bill aims to conserve spending, strengthen national security, reform agencies like the IRS, cut wasteful spending, bolster border security (especially against fentanyl), counter China, support key allies, cut Biden-era regulations, and enhance IRS taxpayer services, while also addressing cyber threats and promoting "Buy American" provisions. 

Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations: The Senate passed H.R.6938 (80-13), which would fund the departments of Energy, Commerce, Interior and Justice, as well as water programs, the EPA and federal science initiatives through the end of the current fiscal year. The bill includes negotiated bipartisan agreements, which would provide a total of $174.65 billion in base discretionary spending. The bill previously passed in the House, so it now heads to President Trump, who is expected to sign it.

Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings: The House passed H.R.2988 (213-205), which would modify the requirements for fiduciaries of employer-sponsored retirement plans. The bill aims to codify that those managing other individuals’ retirement savings under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) must prioritize maximizing returns for a secure retirement, rather than prioritizing political or social impacts through the use of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors that may be considered risky.

Saving Homeowners from Overregulation: The House passed H.R.4593 (226-197), which aims to revise the definition of a "showerhead" in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to align with the technical standards set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Remote Access Security: The House passed H.R.2683, which modernizes the Export Control Reform Act by expanding federal authority to restrict foreign adversaries’ ability to access technologies, including AI chips, remotely through cloud computing services. The bill aims to curb China's access to advanced AI chips by way of renting offshore data centers. 

AGOA Extension: The House passed H.R.6500, which extends through December 31, 2028, trade preferences that provide duty-free access to the U.S. market for most exports from eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The bill also extends through December 31, 2031, customs user fees and merchandise processing fees.

Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension: The House passed H.R.6504, which extends through December 31, 2028, the special duty-free rules for various apparel products imported from Haiti, including the duty-free treatment provided for a limited amount (referred to as tariff preference levels) of certain apparel products assembled in and imported from Haiti.

Flexibility for Workers Education: The House failed to pass H.R.2262 (209-215), which would modify the definition of hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act to exclude certain voluntary training that occurs outside an employee's regular working hours. Such training does not count as hours worked even if it is offered by the employer, provided that an employee's working conditions are not adversely affected by choosing not to participate and the employee does not perform any work for the employer during the training.

Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families: The House is set to consider H.R. 6945, which aims to codify states' rights to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for Pregnancy Resource Centers, ensuring these centers can continue providing material aid (diapers, formula) and services (counseling, education) without federal restriction.

 Pregnant Students’ Rights:- The House will also consider H.R. 6359, which would mandate that colleges inform students about their rights, resources (like flexible schedules, excused absences), and support for pregnancy and parenting, building on Title IX protections but focusing on disseminating information to prevent discrimination and help students stay in school. 

Reversing Ban Mining in Minnesota: House members will take up H.J. Res. 140, which would repeal a 2023 rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 that instituted a 20-year mineral withdrawal covering 225,504 acres in the Superior National Forest in Northern Minnesota.