Continuing Resolution (CR): Congress passed H.R.6500, which keeps federal spending at the current levels until Dec. 11, after the Senate approved it last month by an overwhelming margin. The resolution takes a government shutdown off the table ahead of midterm elections this fall.  It includes a provision that temporarily blocks the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed rule that would put federal grant funding under review by political appointees. It also includes language that would prevent the Trump administration from transferring funds from other programs to Border Patrol. The CR sets up action on a post-election stopgap measure unless appropriators somehow complete work on fiscal 2027 spending in the lame duck. The bill went to President Trump, who signed it.

Condemning Socialism: The House passed H.Res.1490 (220-192), which formally condemns socialism and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The move reflects increasing pressure on Democrats to respond to the successes of DSA-backed candidates in primaries around the country as Republicans look to make anti-socialism a winning message. The legislation also affirmed support for election integrity and called for passage of the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

Supreme Court Amendment: The House failed to pass H.J.Res.1 (212-206), which proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the Supreme Court to nine justices. Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate and then ratification by three-fourths of the states. House Speaker Mike Johnson said, "Nine justices have worked well. If you go down the road of packing the Supreme Court it turns into a political palooza, and it would not serve the country." House Democratic leadership urged members to vote against the amendment, saying it would strip Congress "of yet another constitutional authority that is meant to be controlled by the American people's representatives." 

Democrats have floated the idea of adding justices to the court for years, especially when the current justices have ruled in favor of the Trump administration.  Republicans have been against “court packing” since the days of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The U.S. Supreme Court was set at nine justices in 1869 by the Judiciary Act of 1869.

University Boycotts of Israel: The House passed H.R.4795 (237-169), which would block federal aid for universities that boycott Israel. 33 Democrats voted with Republicans to pass the bill. The legislation prohibits colleges and universities from receiving federal student aid if they engage in commercial and academic boycotts promoted by the antisemitic boycott-divest-sanction (BDS) movement. The BDS movement seeks to isolate Israel over its treatment of Palestinians.

Protecting Domestic Mining: The House passed H.R.1501 (218-201), which would permanently add mining to the sectors eligible for FAST-41 permitting coordination, which provides greater certainty for domestic projects while maintaining existing federal review requirements. It also prevents future administrations from arbitrarily narrowing that eligibility. The measure aims to make it easier and more affordable for companies to build critical projects and create jobs in the U.S.

Prison Staff Safety Enhancement: The House passed S.307, which aims to improve the safety of staff working in federal prisons by specifically addressing issues of sexual harassment and sexual assault that may occur between incarcerated individuals and Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees. It now heads to the President’s desk.

Northeast Lobsterman Protection: The House passed H.R.9436 (219-209), which extends the existing regulatory pause (moratorium) on new federal gear rules for American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries from 2028 to 2035.

Congress will be on Recess the week of Sept. 7th. They will return to normally scheduled business on Sept. 14th. Be looking for your next R&P on Sept. 21st.

Congress was on recess last week. 

Nine Justices Supreme Court
H.J. Res.1, a constitutional amendment to require that the U.S. Supreme Court be composed of nine justices, would be sent to the states for ratification. Three-quarters of state legislatures would have to approve the proposal within seven years for it to be added to the Constitution. The core controversy is that the measure is intended to prevent Democrats from expanding the Court in the future to shift its ideological balance back to the left.

Regulations Restricting Fishing
H.R.9436, the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act, extends for seven years, through Dec. 1, 2035, a moratorium on fishing regulations intended to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales. The core controversy is a conflict between protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale and protecting the economic viability of the Northeast lobster industry, especially in Maine.

Condemn Socialism & Pass the SAVE Act
H.Res.1490, the resolution states that the House of Representatives condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms, including the Democratic Socialists of America, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States; in the "Whereas" clauses, it calls for Congress to enact the "common-sense" reforms of the SAVE Act. The core controversy is not really about creating new law. As a House resolution, it is primarily a political statement expressing the House's position on socialism and related political movements.

Expedited Permitting for Mining
H.R.1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act, permanently makes mining and mineral processing eligible for expedited environmental permitting under a process established by the FAST Act. The core controversy is whether the federal government should speed up approvals for mining projects to strengthen domestic mineral production or whether doing so could weaken environmental review and public oversight.

 No Federal Aid for Colleges that Boycott Strategic Partners
H.R.4795, the Protect Economic & Academic Freedom Act, prohibits colleges and universities from receiving federal aid if they engage in discriminatory commercial and academic boycotts of major strategic partners of the United States, including Israel. The core controversy is whether the federal government should use federal education funding to discourage university participation in boycotts of Israel, or whether doing so infringes on academic independence and First Amendment-protected political expression.

Continuing Resolution: The House passed H.R.9770 (220-205), which provides continuing FY2027 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of December 4, 2026, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act.

Government Funding: The House passed H.Con.Res.113 (216-214), which is a first step toward passing a $95 billion reconciliation measure focused mostly on the Iran war. The resolution would instruct four committees to spend up to $95 billion for Trump’s marquee priorities:

• $73 billion in defense and intelligence spending for the Iran war, as hostilities continue following the latest collapse of a ceasefire between the US and the Islamic republic.

• $12 billion in financial relief for farmers facing high prices partly driven by closures of the Strait of Hormuz that have disrupted the global flow of fuel and fertilizer.

• $10 billion to implement elements of voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements in the SAVE America Act.

2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): The House passed H.R.8800 (216-212), which would authorize roughly $1.15 trillion in national security spending while establishing policy priorities for the Department of Defense for the coming fiscal year. The bill allocates $750 million for joint U.S.-Israel military projects, including missile defense and emerging technologies. It also includes measures to protect American shipbuilding from offshoring and funds an additional destroyer to be constructed. The measure would expand military technological cooperation with Israel and provide more funding for Ukraine.

The bill would have the Department of Defense officially adopt a name change to Department of War. The massive bill also includes a 5% to 7% pay raise for military service members, an increase in active-duty force size and a mandate to revert the names of nine southern military bases to those recommended in 2023 to replace Confederate honorifics. Republicans also attached the contentious SAVE America Act to impose new restrictions on voting in an attempt to reign in voting fraud.

Congressional Stock Trading Ban: The House passed H.R.7008 (232-198), which bans members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from purchasing new individual stock units of publicly traded companies while in office and imposes increased penalties for violations. It also requires individuals to present photo identification in order to vote in a federal election and establishes a new grant program to support state-issued identification documents.

War Powers Resolution: The House passed H.Con.Res.89 (214-208), which directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. The House and Senate have both already passed Iran war powers resolutions, but military strikes have continued. The Senate failed to move forward on their war powers resolution.

Take Care of America’s Veterans: The House passed H.R.8884 (232-188), reauthorizes through 2031 the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) authority to carry out demonstration projects within the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. The bill also imposes requirements related to beneficiary income, project funding, and SSA reporting.

Main Street Capital Access: The House passed H.R.6955 (270-155), which aims to reduce regulatory burdens on smaller financial institutions by raising banking deregulation thresholds and encouraging new community bank formation. The legislation is designed to "encourage new bank formation and help community lenders better serve families, small businesses, and rural communities"

EARLY Act Reauthorization: The House passed H.R.4541, which renews proven programs that help young and high-risk women understand their breast cancer risk, recognize warning signs, and receive informed care sooner. It also includes the full provisions of the bipartisan SCREENS for Cancer Act, expanding the pathway to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for women facing financial, insurance, and other barriers to care. 

Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA: The House passed H.R.8823, which is bipartisan legislation that amends the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) and permanently authorizes the Department of Labor to suspend FECA payments to medical providers convicted of fraud.

Value Over Cost: The House passed H.R.1118, which allows government agencies to prioritize the "best value" of goods and services over merely selecting the lowest-cost alternative. The legislation specifically targets the General Services Administration (GSA) and its multiple award schedule program. Currently, agencies often default to the lowest-cost option when procuring commercial supplies and services, which can result in government waste, purchasing subpar technology, and higher long-term costs.

Congress will begin its annual August Recess on July 27th. They will return to normally scheduled business on August 31st. Be looking for your next R&P on Sept. 7th.

Prohibit Firearm Retailer Classification Codes: The House passed (221-201) H.R.1181, which would prohibit payment card networks and covered entities from using merchant category codes that distinguish a firearms retailer from a general-merchandise retailer or a sporting-goods retailer. It also would clarify that nothing in the bill would preempt state or local law that requires such codes.

Permanent Daylight Saving Time: The House passed (308-117) H.R.139, that would make daylight saving time permanent year-round and nationwide. It would permit states that have otherwise exempted themselves from DST to determine whether they will adopt the new DST established by the bill or maintain their existing policies.

Fiscal 2027 National Security-State Appropriations: The House passed (217-209) H.R.8595, to provide $47.3 billion in fiscal 2027 discretionary funding for the State Dept. and other foreign operations and aid initiatives. It includes $15.1 billion for the operational costs of the State Dept. and related agencies in 190 countries, as well as diplomatic efforts. It would provide $3.3 billion in direct aid for Israel, $2.1 billion for Jordan, $1.4 billion for Egypt, $300 million to counter Russian aggression, and $1.8 billion to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Fiscal 2027 Defense Authorization: Both Chambers failed to advance their versions of the NDAA to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year. 

Both bills contain a controversial section that directs the Pentagon to fast-track joint ventures, licensing agreements, and co-production of Israeli defense innovations for U.S. military systems.

The inclusion of the section has sparked significant bipartisan pushback. Critics argue the provision permanently embeds Israeli defense contractors into U.S. supply chains and limits future congressional oversight. Conversely, supporters maintain the measure will help both allies innovate faster against mutual security threats.

Banning Members of Congress from Insider Trading: The House will also consider H.R. 7008, to prohibit Members of Congress and certain federal officials from using nonpublic information gained through their positions to profit from stock trades or other investments.

Expanding Small Business Access to Bank Loans: The House will consider H.R.6955, to make it easier for community and smaller banks to operate and lend, with the goal of improving access to loans and capital for small businesses and local communities.

Expanding Benefits and Health Care for Veterans: The House will try again to consider H.R.9237, to expand veterans' health care, disability benefits, mental health services, and family support while making changes to how the VA operates.

Reconciliation 3.0: Republicans are pushing ahead with their party’s third reconciliation drive this Congress, seeking to enact even more of President Donald Trump’s agenda in what could be the final months of their governing trifecta.

The House is aiming to vote this week on adopting a budget resolution that would instruct four committees to spend up to $95 billion for Trump’s marquee priorities:

• $73 billion in defense and intelligence spending for the Iran war, as hostilities continue following the latest collapse of a ceasefire between the US and the Islamic republic.

• $12 billion in financial relief for farmers facing high prices partly driven by closures of the Strait of Hormuz that have disrupted the global flow of fuel and fertilizer.

• $10 billion to implement elements of voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements in the SAVE America Act.

The reconciliation process allows Republicans to pass the bill with a simple majority vote in both chambers.

But the process comes with its own complications, including the Senate’s Byrd rule, which requires each provision in the bill to have direct budgetary effects. The Administration has called on the Senate to include as much of the SAVE America Act as possible, despite expectations they won’t comply with the Byrd rule.

And in the face of universal Democratic opposition, GOP leadership will have to navigate deep divisions within their party. Fiscal hawks warn the bill needs to be paid for, while moderates have opposed deeper cuts to social welfare programs.