Congressional Summary
SPECIAL NOTE: Congress is in recess for the Memorial Day weekend. Unless there is impactful breaking news, the next regular edition of this summary will be run on Monday, June 1.
This Congressional Floor Summary is a (mostly) daily briefing on U.S. House and Senate floor activity — bills scheduled, votes taken, nominations pending, and the legislative horizon ahead. It is produced by Lens and Mix, LLC using AI-assisted research and will be updated on days Congress is in session.
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119th Congress · 2nd Session
U.S. Congressional Floor Summary
U.S. Congressional Floor Summary
Congressional Floor Summary
House & Senate · Daily Legislative Report
Curated and produced by Lens and Mix, LLC using AI-assisted research
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Week of April 27 · Session Day 19
Week context: Congress returned Monday to the most consequential and chaotic week of the session — and it's already unraveling. Three hard deadlines collide: FISA expires Thursday (2 days), the DHS rainy day fund runs out by Friday stranding 270,000 workers' paychecks including Secret Service agents, and the War Powers Act May 1 statutory deadline arrives tomorrow. The backdrop: gunman Cole Tomas Allen opened fire outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner Saturday night, wounding one Secret Service agent before being arrested and charged with attempted assassination of the President. The shooting has galvanized DHS funding urgency — the very agents who protected the room are among those facing missed paychecks. The House Rules Committee adjourned Monday night without reporting a rule on any priority item. King Charles III addresses a joint session Thursday — the first British monarch to do so since 1991. Iran is offering to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
🔄 What changed since April 25:
- WHCD shooting — Sat Apr 25: Gunman Cole Tomas Allen fired at the security screening area outside the Washington Hilton. One Secret Service agent struck in a bullet-resistant vest and expected to recover. Trump, Melania, Vance evacuated. Allen arrested and charged with attempted assassination. His manifesto described himself as the "Friendly Federal Assassin." First WHCD Trump attended as sitting president.
- DHS funding crisis — rainy day fund depleted by Friday: DHS Secretary Mullin confirmed the $10B emergency fund is exhausted by end of this week. 270,000 workers face missed paychecks. Johnson: "We are out of money." Bacon and swing-district Republicans sent a letter urging Johnson to hold a floor vote on the Senate-passed bipartisan DHS bill (non-ICE/CBP). White House: "Every member of Congress needs to put their country over party."
- House Rules Committee collapsed Monday night: Adjourned without reporting a rule on FISA (3-year extension), the Farm Bill (H.R. 7567), or S.Con.Res. 33 (reconciliation). Rep. Roy (R-TX) among holdouts. Reconvened at 7:30 a.m. today. Johnson told members: if House can't pass FISA, Senate will go first and House will have to accept it.
- Senate Monday — Thune re-filed cloture on S. 4344: Also placed S. 4378 (anti-fraud) on Calendar. Cekada (ATF) cloture vote at 5:30 p.m. Both leaders addressed WHCD shooting from the floor.
- King Charles III joint address Thursday: First British monarch to address Congress since 1991. Described as a "delicate mission" to restore UK-US relationship amid tariff tensions.
- Iran — Strait of Hormuz offer: Iran offered to reopen the Strait if the U.S. lifts its naval blockade and ends Operation Epic Fury. War Powers Act May 1 statutory deadline is tomorrow.
- Farm Bill (H.R. 7567) stuck: Also in the Rules Committee package with FISA and reconciliation. MAHA bloc opposing certain provisions. All three delayed until Rules reconvenes today.
🗓 Legislative Horizon
Major initiatives expected in the weeks ahead & remainder of the 119th Congress (ends Jan 3, 2027)
This week
FISA Sec. 702 Reauthorization
Expires Thursday April 30 — 2 days away. House Rules collapsed Monday night without reporting a rule. Senate cloture on S. 4344 filed by Thune — vote possible today. Johnson told members if House can't act, Senate will go first. House 3-year proposal (no warrant requirement) faces opposition from privacy hawks on both sides. Senate needs 7 Democratic votes for cloture on S. 4344. If neither track succeeds by Thursday, FISA lapses — intelligence collection continues but faces telecom/tech company lawsuits. Another short-term patch remains possible via unanimous consent.
2 days to expiry. House Rules reconvening today. Senate cloture vote today. Both paths uncertain.
Tomorrow
Iran War Powers Act — May 1 Statutory Deadline · Operation Epic Fury
War Powers Act statutory deadline is May 1 — tomorrow. Trump notified Congress March 2; 60 days expires today (April 29 operational mark). Iran has now offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. lifts its naval blockade and ends the war. 13 U.S. service members killed. Gas above $4/gallon; Brent crude above $100/barrel. Collins, Murkowski, Tillis, Curtis say Congress must vote. Thune has not scheduled AUMF. Democrats have six more resolutions queued. Trump may invoke the 30-day withdrawal notification unilaterally, buying 30 more days without congressional authorization. Wicker hearing scheduled "sometime in May."
Statutory deadline tomorrow May 1. Iran Strait offer may shift dynamics. 6th War Powers vote expected this week.
DHS shutdown Day 73. The $10B rainy day emergency fund is depleted by end of this week — 270,000 workers including Secret Service agents face missed paychecks. The WHCD shooting has put the Secret Service funding crisis in stark relief. Two tracks: Senate-passed bipartisan DHS bill (non-ICE/CBP) awaiting House floor vote — Bacon and swing-district Republicans pressing Johnson; and reconciliation for ICE/CBP (still needs House to adopt S.Con.Res. 33). Johnson has still not brought the Senate bill to the floor. Rep. Roy wants the reconciliation bill to include a "secure ballroom on White House grounds" and other non-DHS items.
Paycheck crisis by end of week. Senate bill on floor this week or workers go unpaid. Reconciliation months away from final passage.
Weeks ahead
Reconciliation 2.0 — ICE & Border Patrol Funding
Senate adopted S.Con.Res. 33 50–48 April 23. House Rules Committee had the resolution in its package Monday night but adjourned without acting. Rules reconvening today. House Budget Chair Arrington pushing to expand scope. Conservative Rep. Roy wants to add "secure ballroom on White House grounds," SAVE Act, transgender/abortion funding restrictions, and a third reconciliation bill. If House amends the resolution, it returns to Senate for another vote-a-rama. Committees have until May 15 to draft the actual bill once resolution is adopted. Trump's June 1 target is slipping.
House Rules must act this week. Expansion demands vs. tight timeline. June 1 target now in doubt.
Coming months
Iran AUMF / Supplemental Defense Funding
U.S. military operations against Iran are approaching the 60-day War Powers Act threshold. Some Republicans (Hawley, Tillis) are calling for a formal AUMF. Democrats are pushing for a vote to define the scope of operations. Pentagon has signaled a supplemental funding request is coming — potentially $200B+. No formal AUMF introduced yet.
Politically explosive; bipartisan discomfort growing as conflict extends.
Coming months
FY2027 Appropriations & Budget Process
The new fiscal year begins October 1, 2026. Budget hearings are underway this week (OMB Director Vought testifying April 16). The Administration is requesting $1.15 trillion in base defense spending plus $350B in supplemental defense reconciliation. The FY2026 shutdown history makes timely FY2027 passage a long shot — another continuing resolution or shutdown is a realistic possibility.
Fiscal year deadline: October 1, 2026.
Coming months
"One Big Beautiful Bill" — Senate Action
The House passed H.R. 1 (the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act") in May 2025 by 215–214. It encompasses tax cuts (~$4.5T over 10 years extending TCJA provisions), Medicaid work requirements, SNAP changes, border security funding, and a $4T debt limit increase. The Senate is now working through it under reconciliation rules with extensive amendment debates. Trump demanded passage by June 1.
Senate passage on a razor-thin timeline; internal GOP divisions over Medicaid cuts remain.
Later in session
Debt Ceiling
H.R. 1 includes a $4 trillion debt limit increase (from $36.1T to $40.1T). If the bill passes, this buys runway through roughly late 2026 or early 2027. If it stalls, the debt ceiling becomes a separate crisis point — Treasury has been using extraordinary measures since early 2025. CBO projects the current ceiling could be reached as early as fall 2026.
Deadline contingent on H.R. 1 passage; independent crisis possible if reconciliation stalls.
Ongoing
SAVE America Act (Voter ID)
Senate Democrats are filibustering this House-passed voter ID bill. Republicans lack 60 votes for cloture and Majority Leader Thune has declined to change Senate rules. The bill is effectively stalled but Republicans are continuing floor debate for political messaging ahead of the 2026 midterms. Passage considered highly unlikely without a rules change.
More a campaign issue than a legislative one at this point.
Fall 2026
2026 Midterm Elections — Session Deadline
The 119th Congress ends January 3, 2027. All bills not enacted by that date expire. The November 2026 midterms will determine the composition of the 120th Congress. Republicans currently hold a narrow House majority (218–214) and a 53–47 Senate majority. Any bills not passed before election-year recess schedules shrink the legislative calendar significantly.
Effective legislative window closes by ~September 2026 as campaign season dominates.
U.S. House of Representatives
Majority Leader: Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) · Speaker: Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA)
H.R. 8035 — 3-Year Proposal
FISA Section 702 — 3-Year Extension (No Warrant Requirement)
⚠ Rules collapsed Mon night · Expires Thu Apr 30
Johnson's 3-year FISA proposal extends Sec. 702 with modest accountability additions but no warrant requirement. House Rules Committee adjourned Monday night without reporting a rule on any of the three major items (FISA, Farm Bill, reconciliation resolution). Johnson told members: if the House can't pass its own version, the Senate will go first with S. 4344 and the House will have to accept it. Rep. Boebert: "If you want to spy on Americans, get a warrant." Rep. Don Bacon: "We are trying to accommodate 20 people. This is what is broken about Congress." FISA expires Thursday.
H.R. 7567
Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026
Also stuck in Rules Committee
The major 5-year farm bill reauthorization was in the Rules Committee package Monday alongside FISA and the reconciliation resolution, but Rules adjourned without acting on any of them. The MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) bloc has raised objections to specific provisions. Farm bill reauthorization is years overdue; the previous bill has been running on extensions. Passage is uncertain even if Rules eventually reports it.
S.Con.Res. 33
FY2026 Reconciliation Budget Resolution — House Adoption Pending
⚠ Also stuck in Rules · Trump urging clean adoption
The Senate adopted this budget resolution April 23. The House must adopt the identical resolution before committees can write the actual reconciliation bill (May 15 deadline). The resolution was in Rules Monday but not reported. Rep. Roy wants to expand the package dramatically beyond ICE/CBP funding. Trump is urging the House to adopt it cleanly. If the House amends the resolution, it returns to the Senate for another vote-a-rama. Trump's June 1 target for a final signed bill is now under serious pressure.
Senate-passed DHS bill
DHS Appropriations — Bipartisan Senate Bill (Non-ICE/CBP)
⚠ Awaiting House floor · Paychecks end this week
Funds all DHS agencies except ICE and CBP — a bipartisan Senate compromise passed twice by the Senate. Johnson has refused to bring it to the House floor, insisting on a comprehensive DHS bill or waiting for reconciliation. The WHCD shooting has intensified pressure sharply — the Secret Service agents protecting the event are working for a shuttered agency. Rep. Bacon: "Let's stop doing the pretzel twister game with Republicans who never want to get to yes anyway." White House: "This is a national emergency."
U.S. Senate
Majority Leader: Sen. John Thune (R-SD) · Minority Leader: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
S. 4344
FISA Section 702 — 3-Year Extension
⚠ Cloture vote today · Expires Thu Apr 30
The Senate's fallback FISA option — a clean 3-year extension filed by Thune after the House's chaotic week. Cloture vote scheduled today. Needs 60 votes, requiring at least 7 Democrats to cross over. Democratic demands: warrant requirements and data broker restrictions. Sens. Wyden (D-OR) and Lee (R-UT) have a bipartisan alternative with warrant requirements. If cloture fails, the Senate has no easy path to a FISA deal before Thursday's expiration. Johnson told House members the Senate will take the lead if the House can't act — meaning this vote today may be decisive.
ATF Director Nomination
Robert Cekada — ATF Director
Confirmation vote today
Trump nominee for Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Cloture was invoked Monday at 5:30 p.m. Confirmation vote scheduled today. Expected to confirm on a party-line vote. ATF has been without a Senate-confirmed director for an extended period.
Joint Session — Thursday Apr 30
King Charles III — Address to Joint Session of Congress
Thu Apr 30 · First British monarch since 1991
King Charles III will address a joint session of Congress Thursday — the first British monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. The visit comes amid strained UK-US relations over tariff disputes. Described by UK officials as a "delicate mission." The timing is notable: FISA also expires Thursday, and DHS funding runs out Thursday-Friday. Congress will have a very full day.
War Powers — 6th attempt
Iran War Powers Resolution (6th Senate attempt)
⚠ May 1 statutory deadline tomorrow · Strait of Hormuz offer on table
Democrats expected to force a 6th War Powers vote this week as the May 1 statutory deadline arrives. Iran's offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — conditioned on the U.S. lifting its naval blockade — may shift the dynamic. Collins, Murkowski, Tillis, and Curtis (R) have said Congress must vote. Thune has not scheduled an AUMF. Trump may invoke the 30-day withdrawal notice unilaterally to buy time. If he does, the new deadline becomes May 31.
FY2027 Appropriations
FY2027 Appropriations Hearings — Multiple subcommittees
This week · Education, NASA, National Security markup
Even as the floor descends into crisis mode, the Appropriations process for FY2027 continues in committee. The House Appropriations National Security subcommittee is marking up the State Department and related programs bill today. Senate subcommittees are holding hearings on Education and NASA budgets. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is hearing from Darrell Owens, Trump's nominee to be Ambassador to the OSCE. These hearings will shape the next fiscal year's spending even as FY2026 remains unresolved.
📎 Primary Sources & Reference Links
live.house.govReal-time House floor activity, votes & transcript
Senate Floor ActivityDaily Senate floor log & webcast
House Majority Leader ScheduleOfficial weekly House floor schedule
Senate Daily PressDay-by-day Senate schedule & activity log
GovTrack.usBill tracker, alerts, status & voting records
Congress.govOfficial Library of Congress bill database
House Clerk Floor SummaryOfficial House floor activity summary
Senate Active LegislationCurrently active Senate bills & resolutions
Committee ScheduleWeekly House & Senate committee hearings
FastDemocracyProfessional bill tracking & AI transcripts
April 2026
Apr 27
Cloture invoked
Cloture invoked
Robert Cekada — ATF Director · Cloture invoked Mon
Cloture invoked on nomination. Confirmation vote scheduled today Apr 28. Expected party-line confirmation.
Apr 25
Shooting
1 agent wounded
White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting — Washington Hilton
Cole Tomas Allen fired shots at security screening area outside WHCD. One Secret Service agent struck in vest, expected to recover. Trump, Vance, Cabinet evacuated. Allen arrested; charged with attempted assassination of the President. Manifesto cited "Friendly Federal Assassin." Galvanized DHS funding urgency.
Apr 23
Passed House
Passed
Geothermal energy bill passed the House Thursday. Waives NEPA review for certain federal land geothermal activities. Bipartisan support. Sent to Senate.
Apr 23
Cloture filed
Cloture filed
Thune filed cloture on motion to proceed to S. 4344 immediately after budget resolution passed. Cloture vote possible as early as Monday Apr 27. Senate's FISA fallback now formally in motion.
Adopted 50–48 at ~3:30 a.m. after 5-hour vote-a-rama. Murkowski and Rand Paul voted against with all Democrats. Graham amendment (violent criminal deportation) passed 98–0. All Democratic policy amendments failed. Now heads to House for adoption.
Apr 22
Failed
46–51
Sponsored by Sen. Baldwin (D-WI). Failed 46–51. Fetterman (D) voted no; Paul (R) voted yes — consistent with all prior votes. Grassley, McCormick, Warner absent. War Powers Act 60-day deadline arrives next week.
Senate voted 52–46 on strict party lines to proceed to the FY2026 budget resolution for ICE/CBP reconciliation. Instructs committees to draft $70B in immigration enforcement funding by May 15. Vote-a-rama expected Wed or Thu.
Apr 21
Resigned
Effective 1:30 p.m.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) — Resigned
Resigned at 1:30 p.m., minutes before her House Ethics Committee sanctions hearing. Third member to resign in under two weeks (after Swalwell D-CA and Gonzales R-TX last week). House now 218R–213D, 4 open seats.
Andrew B. Davis — U.S. District Judge, W.D. Texas
Confirmed 47–46. Collins (R) voted no. Seven senators not voting: Daines, Fetterman, Grassley, Murkowski, Risch, Sheehy, Warner. Third Trump W.D. Texas judge confirmed this session.
Apr 20
On Calendar
Rule XIV
Placed on Senate Calendar via Rule XIV by Majority Leader Thune. Senate formally positioned to take lead on longer-term FISA deal before April 30 deadline.
Apr 20
Passed
Voice vote
S.Res. 681 — Resolution honoring Chuck Norris
Adopted by voice vote. Memorial resolution for the late actor and martial artist.
Apr 18
Enacted
Signed
Signed into law Saturday by President Trump. Extends FISA Section 702 through April 30. Followed three failed House floor votes (18-month, 5-year, rule) Thursday night. Both chambers passed by unanimous consent.
Apr 16
Failed
47–52
Motion to discharge from Senate Foreign Relations Committee failed. Democrats could not win Republican crossover votes needed to force the bill to the floor.
Apr 16
Passed Senate
50–49
Passed Senate 50–49. Collins and Tillis (R) voted against; Hawley not voting. Sent to House. Would reverse Biden-era withdrawal of Iron Range federal lands from mining.
Apr 16
Cloture invoked
49–48
Andrew B. Davis — U.S. District Judge, W.D. Texas
Cloture invoked 49–48 on Trump judicial nominee. Confirmation vote scheduled no earlier than Monday April 20.
Apr 15
Failed
36–63
Motion to discharge from Foreign Relations Committee failed. Would have directed disapproval of U.S. arms sales to Israel.
Apr 15
Passed
51–49
Congressional Review Act disapproval of Biden-era Bureau of Land Management withdrawal of federal lands in Cook, Lake & St. Louis Counties, MN. Passed Senate; sent to House.
Apr 14
Confirmed
Party-line
John Thomas Shepherd — U.S. District Judge, W.D. Arkansas
Trump judicial nominee confirmed by Senate. Part of ongoing judicial confirmation pipeline.
Apr 13
Enacted
Signed
Signed April 13, 2026. Addresses small business innovation programs and economic security provisions.
Apr 8
Ceasefire
—
Iran–U.S. Ceasefire Takes Effect (Operation Epic Fury)
After 40 days of combat operations, a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan took effect. U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports imposed Apr 13 after peace talks in Islamabad collapsed. No AUMF passed by Congress.
March 2026
Mar 24
Confirmed
—
Markwayne Mullin — Secretary of Homeland Security
Sen. Mullin (R-OK) confirmed as DHS Secretary and resigned from Senate. Alan Armstrong appointed to fill his seat.
Mar 12
Passed Senate
82–11
Bipartisan housing supply bill passed Senate 82–11 with substitute amendment (S.Amdt. 4308). Returned to House with changes; House has not yet acted on Senate version.
February 2026
Feb 28
Military
No AUMF
Operation Epic Fury Launched — U.S.–Israel Strikes on Iran
Joint U.S.–Israeli military operation commenced. Supreme Leader Khamenei killed in opening strikes. Iran responded with missile/drone attacks; closed Strait of Hormuz. No congressional AUMF authorized. 40-day campaign until Apr 8 ceasefire.
Feb 25
Passed House
218–213
Requires documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections; photo ID to vote. Passed House 218–213. Currently stalled in Senate filibuster.
Feb 18
Enacted
Signed
Establishes a congressional time capsule for the U.S. 250th anniversary in 2026.
Feb 18
Enacted
Signed
Congressional Review Act disapproval of D.C. Council's income and franchise tax conformity amendment.
Feb 14
Shutdown
Day 73
Partial DHS Shutdown Begins — Ongoing
DHS partial shutdown began when two-week CR expired. Democrats blocked DHS funding demanding ICE/CBP reform after CBP killing of Alex Pretti (Jan 24). ICE, CBP, TSA, FEMA, Secret Service among affected agencies. Shutdown ongoing as of April 16.
Feb 10
Enacted
Signed
Requires federal agencies to cross-check payment records against the Social Security death master file to eliminate improper payments to deceased individuals.
Feb 9
Passed House
Bipartisan
Bipartisan housing supply bill passed House. Includes zoning reform incentives, FHA loan limit increases, streamlined environmental reviews.
Feb 6
Enacted
Signed
Reforms bankruptcy court administrative procedures and fee structures.
Feb 3
Enacted
Signed
Full-year FY2026 appropriations for all departments except DHS. Ended the 4-day general shutdown (Jan 31–Feb 3). DHS excluded due to Democratic objections over ICE/CBP reform.
Feb 3
Shutdown ends
—
First 2026 Shutdown Ends (4 days — Jan 31–Feb 3)
General government shutdown ended when P.L. 119-75 was signed. Shutdown caused by delay approving full-year appropriations package; DHS excluded and placed on 2-week CR.
January 2026
Jan 31
Shutdown
4 days
First 2026 General Government Shutdown Begins
Partial shutdown began when FY2025 continuing resolution expired. Affected approximately half of federal departments. Lasted 4 days until Feb 3 passage of Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Jan 23
Enacted
Signed
Signed Jan 23, 2026. Part of the FY2026 appropriations package covering Commerce, Justice, Science (including NASA/NSF), Energy and Water, and Interior/Environment departments.
Jan 22
Passed House
341–88 / 220–207
Final FY2026 Appropriations Package — 3 Bills
House passed final three FY2026 spending bills (Transportation/HUD 341–88; DHS 220–207; others) completing the House's work on annual appropriations. Senate Democrats subsequently blocked DHS portion.
Jan 20
Enacted
Signed
Amends title 38 to improve VA housing assistance programs for disabled veterans.
Jan 8
Veto sustained
Override failed
Veto Override Attempts Fail — H.R. 504 & H.R. 131
House failed to override two Biden-era vetoes: Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act (H.R. 504) and Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act (H.R. 131). Both vetoes sustained; bills died.
Jan 5
Session opens
—
119th Congress 2nd Session Convenes
Second session of the 119th Congress begins. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) resigned same day. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) died Jan 6. Republican House majority: 218–214 at opening.