Week 23 Legislative Recap
Infrastructure and DC governance take priority amid budget battle
Last week in Congress was very slow, as the Senate continued work to whip votes for its version of a budget bill. A considerable amount of time was spent debating the Genius Act, which has seen 130 proposed amendments so far.
The focus in the House was on infrastructure, and on international ports specifically. There were also a few bills specific to Washington, DC. There was a bill to increase disciplinary enforcement of police and civil servants in the DC area, and there was a bill to prevent noncitizens from voting in DC elections.
Two of the first disapproval motions to fail also happened last week pertaining to Donald Trump’s proposed purchases from the government of Qatar. The motions were proposed by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and both motions failed.
SENATE
Bills passed
DETERRENCE Act: Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of S. 1136, to authorize sentencing enhancements for certain criminal offenses directed by or coordinated with foreign governments, and the bill was then passed by Unanimous Consent.
Nominations Confirmed
Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General. Passed 51-41.
David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Passed 53-41.
Stephen Vaden to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Passed 51-44.
Disapprovals that failed:
Proposed foreign military sale (disapproval): Senate did not agree to the motion to discharge S. J. Res. 53, providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Qatar of certain defense articles and services. The motion failed 39-56.
Pages S3336, S3342–43
Proposed foreign military sale: Senate did not agree to the motion to discharge S. J. Res. 54, providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services. The motion failed 39-56.
HOUSE
American Cargo for American Ships Act: H.R. 2035 Directs the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that all cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation are transported on privately-owned commercial vessels of the United States. Passed by roll call vote 373-14.
Directing the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose: H.R. 2351 Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose. Passed by voice vote.
Maritime Supply Chain Security Act: H.R. 2390 Clarifies that port infrastructure development program funds may be used to replace Chinese port crane hardware or software. Passed by voice vote.
Baby Changing on Board Act: H.R. 248, to require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars. Passed by voice vote.
Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2025: H.R. 1182, to require the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate regulations relating to the approval of foreign manufacturers of cylinders. Passed by voice vote.
Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025: H.R. 1373, amended, to require certain meetings of the Tennessee Valley Authority to be transparent and open to the public. Passed by voice vote.
Authorizing the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works: H.R. 1948 Authorizes the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works. Passed by voice vote.
Secure Our Ports Act of 2025: H.R. 252 Prohibits certain contracts for port operations and management. Passed by voice vote.
Requiring each Member, officer, and employee of the House of Representatives to complete a program of training in workplace rights and responsibilities each session of each Congress: H. Res. 480 Requires each Member, officer, and employee of the House of Representatives to complete a program of training in workplace rights and responsibilities each session of each Congress. Passed by voice vote.
Protecting Our Nation's Capital Emergency Act: H.R. 2096 Restores the right to negotiate matters pertaining to the discipline of law enforcement officers of the District of Columbia through collective bargaining, to restore the statute of limitations for bringing disciplinary cases against members or civilian employees of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Passed by roll call vote, 235-178.
Prohibiting individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022: H.R. 884 Prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. Passed by roll call vote 266-148.