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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been unfunded for 73 days.  The administration announced that it cannot continue to pay DHS employees past the end of this month absent enactment of appropriations. A number of House Republicans, including members of the far-right Freedom Caucus, have warned that they will not vote for the Senate-passed…

The Senate Budget Committee released its FY 2027 budget resolution last Tuesday.  The measure instructs the Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees to separately report changes to laws within their jurisdiction that increase the deficit by up to $70 billion over ten years. The instructed committees are expected to implement the reconciliation instructions by funding ICE and U.S.…

Last Tuesday, House appropriators voted on allocations for six of the annual appropriations bills.  Allocation numbers serve as guidelines for appropriations subcommittees to write their bills, but the totals likely will change as lawmakers negotiate final appropriations.  Allocations have not been announced for the bills considered harder to negotiate, such as Defense and Labor-Health and…

This week, House Republicans will try for a third time to pass an extension of surveillance authorities provided in section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) before they expire on Thursday.

Senate Republicans blocked consideration of another Iran War Powers resolution last week – this one offered by Sen. Baldwin (D-WI).  Sens. Paul (R-KY) and Fetterman (D-PA) were the only members to cross party lines on the failed procedural vote.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) sent a support letter to the Senate Labor Committee Leadership regarding the Heat Workforce Standards Act. Per their letter, “this legislation would shield businesses across the country from new regulatory burdens and compliance costs by preventing the finalization of the Biden Administration’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)…

The Colorado Supreme Court recently issued a unanimous decision that significantly strengthens subcontractors’ and suppliers’ ability to pursue payment on public construction projects. For Senn Fortis clients, as well as many others in the construction industry, this ruling represents a meaningful course correction, reaffirming critical protections under the Colorado Public Works Act and reducing formerly…

 Last week, Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) resigned to avoid votes to expel them from Congress based on allegations of sexual misconduct.  California Governor Newsom called a special election on August 18 to fill the vacancy resulting from Swalwell’s departure.  That seat is expected to remain in Democratic control.  Texas law gives…

The House voted on the FIRE Act (H.R. 6387), which would exclude wildfire mitigation activities from state emissions limits, along with several permitting reform bills:   The chamber also debated bills to implement looser permitting requirements:  Finally, the House considered a motion to expel Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) after the House Ethics Committee releases a decision…

On Monday, April 20, ASA wrote to the Secretaries of Treasury and Commerce to raise urgent concerns about changes to Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper that took effect April 6. The revisions apply duties of up to 25% to the full value of HVACR systems—even when they use U.S.-origin metals—ending an exemption…