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Earlier this year, Speaker Johnson (R-LA) pledged to give members from farm states a vote on legislation to allow year-round sales of E15 ethanol fuel. Initially, the provision was included in the farm bill, which the House passed before recess by a 224-200 vote. However, opposition from Republicans representing oil-producing states forced Speaker Johnson to…

The Chair of the House Appropriations Committee wants all 12 appropriations bills reported out by July 4.  The House likely will pass a few of the bills before the elections – GOP leadership will bring the Military Construction appropriations bill to the floor this week.  But the Senate is moving much more slowly, making it…

America’s data center boom is sparking a political firestorm. The U.S. now has more than 3,000 operational data centers, with 1,500 more in the pipeline—but local residents aren’t thrilled. Polls show strong opposition: 65% of voters in a Quinnipiac survey said no to new centers in their communities, and only about a third support them.…

Subcontractors face real legal challenges every day—issues that affect when and how they get paid, how risk is allocated, and how their businesses operate. The Subcontractors Legal Defense Fund (SLDF) ensures they don’t face these challenges alone. By supporting critical legal cases and filing “friend of the court” briefs, the SLDF gives subcontractors a voice…

The House contemplated votes on the FISA section 702 reauthorization bill (S. 1318) and the Senate-passed budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 33), the farm bill (H.R. 7567), and the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act (H.R. 2616). The House also considered several bills that would implement tax administration improvements, including the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act…

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.