Both the House and Senate are in session this week as lawmakers continue working to finalize the remaining FY2026 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The House is also considering a wide range of legislation touching on housing policy, financial system modernization, international security, national commemorations, and critical infrastructure.

Last week, President Trump signed into law a five‑bill appropriations package that funds most of the federal government for FY2026. The package also included a two‑week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security, establishing a new February 13 deadline and ending the brief partial government shutdown.

Lawmakers departed Washington last week without much progress on negotiations to reform federal immigration enforcement, which Democratic members have identified as a prerequisite for supporting funding for the DHS bill. If Democrats decide to withhold their votes, we could see either an additional Continuing Resolution or another partial government shutdown.

Separately, discussions continue regarding the potential use of a second reconciliation measure to provide additional defense funding. Leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have expressed interest in including approximately $450 billion for national security in such a package, while appropriators have noted that questions remain about process, timing, and how any additional spending would be incorporated into the FY2027 budget cycle.

Committee Hearings of Interest This Week:

Today at 10:15pm ET, the House Energy & Commerce Committee will markup twelve bills related to motor vehicle safety and affordability, including measures related to the safety of autonomous vehicles. These measures could be passed as stand-alone bills or included in a forthcoming 2026 surface transportation reauthorization bill. On Wednesday at 2:00pm, the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology will also hold a hearing titled “Accelerating Progress: U.S. Surface Transportation Research.”