Monday, April 20th, 2026
War Powers: The House failed to pass H.Con.Res.40 (213-214), which calls for the termination of U.S. military action against Iran unless authorized by Congress. Meanwhile, the Senate also failed to bring a related measure, S.J.138 (47-52), to the floor that would also have directed the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran.
The U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 launched a major military operation against Iran after negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear and missile programs effectively stalled. Although the air strikes against the Iranian regime have essentially eliminated the Iranian Navy and severely degraded its missile and drone capability, Iran closed the narrow Strait of Hormuz — through which 20% of the world's oil supply passes — to effectively hold the global economy hostage and create a global energy crisis.
Weapons Sales to Israel: The Senate failed to bring two resolutions to the floor S.J.Res.32 (40-59) and S.J.Res.138 (36-63), that would provide for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.
Haiti Temporary Protected Status (TPS): The House passed H.R.1689 (224-204), which extends for three years — through April 2029 — Haiti's designation under the Homeland Security Department's Temporary Protected Status immigration program, which would enable those Haitians currently in the U.S. who are covered by TPS to remain in the country through that time. TPS was first granted in 2010 following a devastating earthquake in Haiti and has been repeatedly extended as the nation has struggled to recover and in recent years has been rocked by political instability and violence.
Foreign Emissions Exclusion: The House passed H.R.6409 (220-208), which exempt pollution from foreign sources—such as wildfires, dust storms, or industrial activity—when determining if US areas meet air quality standards. The bill reins in government overreach and protects states, energy producers, and manufacturers by bringing long-overdue clarity and fairness standards to the Clean Air Act. It aims to prevent states from being penalized for air quality issues beyond their control.
RED Tape: The House passed H.R.6398 (222-205), which removes the requirement under the Clean Air Act that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review and comment on newly authorized federal construction projects and other major federal agency actions that already require review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and proposed federal regulations.
Aviation Safety: The House passed H.R.7613, which would boost aviation safety requirements in response to a 2025 midair collision near Washington that killed 67 people. The bill addresses dozens of recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board to prevent future tragedies, but faces opposition from critics in the Senate. Families of Flight 5342, a group established after the 2025 collision, said ahead of the House vote it opposes the ALERT Act because it lacks a “clearly defined and transparent timeframe” for requiring safety technology.
Emergency Conservation Program Improvement: The House passed H.R.1011, which is a bipartisan legislation introduced in 2025 to streamline service Agency (FSA) assistance. It enhances the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) by allowing advance payments (up to 75%) and expanding eligibility for non-natural wildfire damage.
Minnesota's Superior National Forest: Congress passed H.J.Res.140, which would repeal the Bureau of Land Management's 2023Land Order No. 7917. This action revokes a 20-year mining ban on 225,504 acres of federal land in northeastern Minnesota's Superior National Forest, near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, aiming to reopen the area to mining.
