House Passes

• House Republicans approved a $95 billion budget reconciliation framework on Wednesday to increase federal spending in several key areas. • The package specifically targets funding boosts for the Pentagon, agricultural aid, and grants intended to support voting restrictions. • This framework represents a third budget reconciliation effort, allowing Republicans to bypass certain legislative hurdles to allocate significant resources.

Resolution, which comes after similar one in June, is largely symbolic, as Trump administration says it’s unconstitutionalUS politics live – latest updatesThe US House of Representatives on Thursday for the second time passed a war powers resolution directing Donald Trump to withdraw the US military from the conflict with Iran, amid renewed fighting in the Middle East that has driven oil prices to their highest levels in weeks.The resolution proposed by Democrat Pramila Jayapal passed by a 214-208 vote, with four Republicans joining all Democrats in attendance to vote in favor. Continue reading...

Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran without first seeking congressional approval has sparked further controversy over the National Defense Authorization ActSign up for the Breaking News US emailHello and welcome to our live coverage of US politics.The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) typically passes in Congress each year with bipartisan margins. But the $1.15tn defense policy bill passed in a near-party-line vote in the House of Representatives on Wednesday has lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in an uproar. Continue reading...

• The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to maintain current funding levels for federal agencies through December 4. • This legislative move is designed to avert a government shutdown and ensure operational continuity until the end of the fiscal year. • The timing of the funding extension is critical as it provides stability leading up to the upcoming midterm elections.

Passage of annual bill complicated by Trump’s decision to join Israel in attacking Iran without congressional approvalThe US House of Representatives passed a $1.15tn defense policy bill in a near-party-line vote on Wednesday, after Democrats refused to back the measure amid the war with Iran and Donald Trump’s push to impose new restrictions on voting nationwide.A key plank of the president’s plan to spend $1.5tn on the military in the 2027 fiscal year, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed the Republican-controlled chamber by a 216-212 vote, with all but six Democrats opposing its passage. Seven House Republicans broke ranks to oppose it. The measure now goes to the Senate. Continue reading...

• The House of Representatives passed H.R. 9770, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2027, with a vote of 220–205. • The legislation is designed to provide government funding certainty and prevent potential shutdowns by removing political leverage and obstruction. • Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) emphasized that the bill protects national security and preserves critical services by avoiding "cliff's edge" governance.

• The House of Representatives passed a stopgap funding bill designed to keep the government operational until after the upcoming midterm elections. • While the House version has passed, Senate appropriators are currently drafting a separate version of the bill to better attract Democratic support. • This legislative move is critical to avoid a government shutdown, which would occur if a funding agreement is not reached before the current deadline.

• The U.S. House of Representatives passed a stopgap funding bill designed to prevent a government shutdown. • The legislation serves as a strategic move to pressure Senate Democrats into quickly supporting a broader funding plan. • This action is critical as the federal government faces a shutdown deadline in the coming months, which could disrupt essential public services.

• The House of Representatives passed a spending bill to authorize government funding until December 4, aiming to prevent a shutdown before the upcoming midterm elections. • The measure seeks to avoid volatile budget disputes during the election season, though Representative DeLauro criticized the bill for not fully addressing the scope of operational needs. • If the Senate fails to pass the legislation, funding negotiations will intensify in September as the end-of-the-month deadline approaches.

• House Republicans passed a continuing resolution to extend federal funding until December 4, effectively preventing a government shutdown before the upcoming midterm elections. • Speaker Mike Johnson cautioned that Democrats might still attempt to force a shutdown prior to the midterms despite this legislative move. • The measure is critical for maintaining government operations and avoiding a lapse in funding during a high-stakes election period.

Measure authorizes spending until 4 December as Republicans seek to avoid volatile issue in election seasonThe US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a stopgap measure to head off a government shutdown until early December, with its Republican leaders seeking to defuse a volatile issue in the run-up to the November midterm elections.The continuing resolution authorizing government spending until 4 December passed by a vote of 220-205, roughly along party lines. It next heads to the Senate, where it will need to win bipartisan support to clear the chamber. Continue reading...

Legislation would also sanction key segments of Russian economy, overriding objections from Republican leadersThe House passed legislation Thursday that would aid Ukraine and sanction key segments of the Russian economy, overriding objections from Republican leaders who warned the bill would undermine negotiations designed to achieve a comparable but stronger result.The 226-195 vote is a sign of impatience with Donald Trump’s approach to the war and represents the House’s second major foreign policy break with Trump this week. The day before, the House, for the first time, approved a war powers resolution aimed at halting US military action against Iran. Continue reading...

Lebanese government agrees ceasefire but Israeli drone strikes continue. Plus the story of the man who launched Cuba’s first independent magazineGood morning.Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities, the Trump administration has announced – but it comes with caveats. Not only is the deal contingent on a complete cessation of fire from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah armed group, and on the evacuation of all its fighters from the area south of the Litani River – but Hezbollah have not been part of the talks.Where has Israel been targeting? William Christou in Beirut reports that three hospitals in southern Lebanon have been attacked by Israel in under a week, wounding more than 150 people and killing nine. Analysts and human rights experts have said the attacks on healthcare facilities were aimed at degrading the conditions for life in south Lebanon.What did Israel say about it? The military said it had struck “Hezbollah infrastructure in the area of Tyre” and acknowledged a hospital was “affected incidentally”. It accused Hezbollah of “taking over” one of the hospitals it struck.Is that number significant? Yes, the 90-day threshold is important because the 1973 War Powers Resolution lays down that a president must seek congressional approval to continue waging war after hostilities have continued that length of time. Trump’s White House has rejected that argument, citing a temporary ceasefire that has been in place since 8 April – although it has been broken several times by the US, Israel and Iran. Continue reading...

Stunning rebuke to president as lawmakers vote 215-208 for measure forcing him to seek congressional approvalThe US House of Representatives delivered a stunning rebuke to Donald Trump over his war on Iran on Wednesday, as representatives backed a move to force him to seek approval from Congress or withdraw US forces.The House voted 215 to 208 in favor of the war powers resolution, as four Republicans voted with Democrats. Continue reading...

Bipartisan measure includes funding for Secret Service and TSA, but excludes immigration enforcement operationsPartial government shutdown ends after Congress votes to fund DHS The US House of Representatives has voted to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security – excluding immigration enforcement operations – and end the longest government agency shutdown in history.The deal struck on Thursday aims to draw a line under a 75-day impasse that had threatened airport chaos and exposed fresh strains within the Republican party. Continue reading...

• The House passed legislation on Friday to fund the Department of Homeland Security for 60 days at current levels through May 22, extending funding for all agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement. • The measure cleared the House 213–203, with three Democrats voting alongside Republicans, automatically passing once the rule was adopted without a separate floor vote. • Senate Democrats rejected the House GOP proposal as "dead on arrival," having already passed their own bipartisan bill that excluded ICE and parts of Customs and Border Protection funding.

Bill passes by 213 to 203 votes in move prolonging weeks-long budget standoff that has disrupted travelUS House Republicans rejected a bipartisan Senate deal to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security and instead passed their own funding measure late Friday, extending a weeks-long budget standoff that has disrupted travel.The stopgap bill, which proposes funding the DHS in full for eight weeks, passed by 213 to 203 votes after Republicans in the lower chamber refused to take up a Senate-passed deal that excluded money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. Continue reading...

• The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday, March 26, 2026, to end the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, marking the third such attempt in two months after funding lapsed nearly six weeks ago. • The bill aims to restore operations but faces uncertain prospects in the Senate, unlikely to immediately resolve the prolonged funding crisis affecting border security and immigration enforcement. • This repeated House action underscores deepening partisan divides on federal spending priorities during a critical period for national security infrastructure.

• The U.S. House passed the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act (H.R. 7296/S. 1383) on February 11, 2026, by a 218-213 vote, requiring documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. • The act mandates counties to verify citizenship, conduct ongoing voter list maintenance, and comply with uniform federal standards, overriding some state systems without added funding. • Priority for Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House, it expands county administrative burdens on election officials amid debates over voter integrity.

• U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) led two bipartisan bills that passed the House unanimously on March 26, 2026, aimed at strengthening federal oversight and enhancing safety at federal facilities. • The legislation targets improvements in regulatory compliance and security protocols across government properties nationwide. • This rare unanimous support highlights cross-party consensus on bolstering federal infrastructure resilience amid rising security concerns.

• The U.S. Senate passed its version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) by a 89-10 vote, sending it back to the House for reconciliation on federal housing policy reforms. • This bipartisan legislation aims to ease housing development barriers, building on prior House actions amid national affordable housing efforts.

• On March 25, 2026, the U.S. House passed H.R. 5103 by 218-206, establishing a federal commission on public safety in Washington, D.C., to formalize President Trump's March 2025 executive order promoting maximum immigration enforcement. • The commission, comprising federal officials, will develop policies redirecting law enforcement for arrests and deportations in DC, aiming to increase enforcement speed. • This partisan measure underscores Republican priorities on capital safety and immigration amid ongoing debates over federal versus local authority.

• The U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 24, 2026, sending it back to the House to increase housing supply through reforms. • The legislation targets zoning and permitting barriers to boost construction amid ongoing housing shortages. • Passage marks a key step in addressing national housing crisis, potentially easing affordability for millions if enacted.

• The U.S. House passed the Deporting Fraudsters Act on March 20, 2026, by a 231-186 vote, designating document fraud as a deportable offense for noncitizens. • The bill adds a new removal trigger for convicted noncitizens, enhancing immigration enforcement on fraud cases. • Passage strengthens federal tools amid ongoing immigration debates, impacting deportation priorities.

• Rep. Van Taylor's bill mandating deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of fraud passed the House of Representatives on March 19, 2026. • The legislation targets non-citizens involved in fraudulent activities, aiming to strengthen immigration enforcement. • Passage reflects ongoing Republican priorities on border security and public safety amid rising immigration debates.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4386, the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, last week, amending the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to grant motorcyclists with National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes fair access to national parks and other federal recreation sites. The bill aims to equalize access for motorcycle owners holding these passes, addressing previous restrictions on federal lands. This bipartisan measure highlights ongoing efforts to update recreation policies amid growing public land usage. The legislation now awaits Senate consideration, potentially advancing under the current congressional calendar.

The US Senate passed a broad bipartisan housing bill on Thursday, March 12, 2026, aiming to boost construction and limit institutional ownership of homes amid affordability crisis. The measure responds to median home prices at $398,000, five times median income, pressuring both parties before midterms. Its path in the House remains uncertain despite White House support announced March 2. Implementation could take time due to state and local regulations.