PSW Weekly Round-Up - 2/9

Legislative Update

House. Among the bills on the House agenda this week is an amended version of the SAVE America Act that would require voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and, beginning in 2027, to present a photo ID at the polls. The House will also vote on a critical minerals bill directing the Energy Department to ensure an “adequate and reliable” supply of critical energy resources in the U.S.

A package of housing measures, the Housing for 21^st Century Act, will be considered under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority for approval. Also on the suspension calendar are two bills celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial, the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. One measure would create a time capsule with items chosen by congressional leaders that would be buried under the Capitol Visitor Center and remain sealed for 250 years. The other bill would authorize the minting of $2.50 coins to be issued no later than July 4.

Senate. The Senate will continue to consider nominations and could take up legislation to provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Homeland Security Funding. With the Feb. 3 enactment of five more appropriations bills, 11 of the 12 FY 2026 measures have been signed into law. Lawmakers are facing a Feb. 13 deadline to act on the one remaining bill, which funds Homeland Security Department programs. Democrats maintain they will not support Homeland Security funding legislation, even a short-term continuing resolution, unless the measure overhauls immigration enforcement policy, while Republicans counter that the Democratic demands are not acceptable.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has indicated he may put forth a stopgap DHS bill for Senate consideration, but it will need Democratic support to clear the 60-vote parliamentary hurdle. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) would prefer that the parties negotiate a deal this week. The House, meanwhile, is waiting to see if the Senate is able to pass a bill. Given the impasse between the two parties, there is increasing speculation that there will be no agreement by the end of the week, when the Senate and House begin their Presidents’ Day recess. The failure to act this week would mean a shutdown of most DHS programs until after Congress returns Feb. 23.

Committee Action of Note

Monday, February 9

• House Rules Committee meeting to formulate a rule on legislation including:
  • H.R. 2189, Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act
  • H.R. 3617, Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act

Tuesday, February 10

• House Financial Services Committee hearing: “Priced Out of the American Dream: Understanding the Policies Behind Rising Costs of Housing and Borrowing”
• House Ways and Means Committee hearing: “Foreign Influence in American Non-profits: Unmasking Threats from Beijing and Beyond”
• House Administration Committee hearing: “Make Elections Great Again: How to Restore Trust and Integrity in Federal Elections”
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands hearing on legislation including H.R. 3553, “Building Resiliency and Understanding of Shrublands to Halt Fires Act” (“BRUSH Fires Act”)
• House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing: “Building a Solid Foundation: Restoring Trust and Transparency in Public Housing Agencies”
• House Rules Committee meeting to formulate a rule on S. 1383, SAVE America Act

Wednesday, February 11

• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing: “Oversight Hearing – Potential DHS Shutdown Impacts”
• House Judiciary Committee hearing: “Oversight of the Department of Justice” with Attorney General Pam Bondi
• House Financial Services Committee hearing: “Oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission” with Chairman Paul Atkins
• House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology hearing: “Accelerating Progress: U.S. Surface Transportation Research”
• House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance hearing: “Homeownership and the Role of the Secondary Mortgage Market”
• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee markup on legislation including S. 3266, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy athletic programs

Thursday, February 12

• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing: “Oversight Hearing” with Director Joseph Edlow, Commissioner Rodney Scott, and Senior Official Todd Lyons
• Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the American small drone industrial base
• Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing: “Oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission” with Chairman Paul Atkins
• Senate Finance Committee hearing: “The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement: Evaluating North American Competitiveness.”
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining hearing on pending legislation including S. 1981, to require the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to utilize grazing for wildfire risk reduction

Tariff Update

South Korea. South Korea’s National Assembly today approved a measure to form a special committee to craft legislation that would implement the country’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the U.S. The Trump administration cited the delay in South Korea’s legislative process and the failure to address non-tariff barriers when it recently threatened to raise reciprocal tariffs on imported goods from South Korea back to 25% from 15%. The lower rate was part of the U.S.-South Korea framework agreement that was announced July 30. South Korea is now expected to enact its trade bill in March.

Executive Action of Note

On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order setting out a mechanism to impose tariffs as high as 25% on countries that do business with Iran. The order instructs the Secretary of State, the Commerce Secretary, and the U.S. Trade Representative to issue rules and guidance for implementing the tariffs. China is Iran’s largest trading partner.

• Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Iran - Feb. 6, 2026
• Modifying Duties to Address Threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation - Feb. 6, 2026
• Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer - Feb. 6, 2026
• Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic - Feb. 6, 2026
• Protecting the National Security and Welfare of the United States and its Citizens From Criminal Actors and Other Public Safety Threats - Feb. 6, 2026
• Establishing an America First Arms Transfer Strategy - Feb. 6, 2026

Political Update

N.J. Special Election. A winner has yet to be declared in the Feb. 5 special Democratic primary for former Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s (D-N.J.) seat. With over 90% of the vote counted, Analilia Mejia has a slight lead over former Rep. Tom Malinowski. Eleven Democratic candidates were competing in the primary, and the eventual winner will face Republican nominee Joe Hathaway in the April 16 special election.

www.psw-inc.com