PSW Weekly Round-Up - 3/23

Legislative Update

Senate. The Senate is planning to vote tonight to confirm Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as the next Homeland Security Secretary. Mullin’s nomination advanced Sunday on a 54-37 procedural vote. The main focus of the Senate this week will be continued consideration of the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and tighten identification rules at the polls. On Saturday, the Senate voted 49-41 in favor of an amendment that would bar transgender women from competing in women’s sports, but the amendment failed as it did not clear the 60-vote threshold. On Wednesday, Senators could vote on an amendment that would require the use of a photo ID to vote.

House. Among the bills to be considered under suspension of the rules is legislation that would allow civilian aircraft to operate at supersonic speeds in U.S. airspace so long as the sonic boom doesn’t reach the ground. Also on the agenda is legislation to prevent vessels from entering U.S. ports if they previously visited Western Hemisphere countries where U.S.-owned port facilities have been seized. The House will also vote again on the FY 2026 Department of Homeland Security funding bill. Although the bill will pass for the third time, the measure still lacks the support of 60 Senators for approval. Both the House and Senate are planning to begin a two-week recess when they complete this week’s work, not returning until the week of April 13.

Homeland Security Funding. The upcoming recess is putting increased pressure on lawmakers and the Administration to reach a Homeland Security funding deal this week. A bipartisan group of Senators has been meeting with border czar Tom Homan to try to find common ground, but no other meetings are currently scheduled. On Sunday, President Trump posted on Truth Social that Republicans should not make a deal until Democrats agree to support the SAVE America Act.

Committee Action of Note

Tuesday, March 24

• House Rules Committee meeting to formulate a rule on:
  • H.R. 8029, Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act
  • H. Res. 1128, Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security
  • H.R. 7084, Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026
  • H.R. 5103, Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act of 2026
• Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights hearing: “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate”
• Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: “To receive testimony on low-cost munitions”

Wednesday, March 25

• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies hearing: Member Day
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies hearing: Member Day
• House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing: “Securing the Future: Arms Control and International Security for the Modern Age”
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs hearing: Member Day
• House Financial Services Committee hearing: “Tokenization and the Future of Securities: Modernizing Our Capital Markets”
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources hearing on legislation including H.R. 5639, Co-Location Energy Act
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing: Oversight hearing – National Weather Service
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing: “Unleashing America's Mineral Potential: The Critical Mineral Commodity Supply Chain”
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies hearing: Member Day
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to examine the state of the bulk power system
• Senate Budget Committee hearing: “Social Security: A Discussion on the Facts and the Path Forward”
• Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution hearing: “Protecting American Citizenship II: Federalism, Sanctuary Cities, and the Rule of Law”

Thursday, March 26

• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies hearing: Member Day
• House Foreign Affairs Committee markup of various measures including:
  • H.R. 3447, Standards for chip security mechanisms in integrated circuit products.
  • H.R. 7616, Relationships that pose a risk to U.S. foreign policy interests between certain European and other institutions.
  • H.R. 7058, Risks posed to the United States by foreign adversaries who utilize generative artificial intelligence.
  • H.R. 7632, Chinese entities materially supporting Russia's defense industrial base and recommending appropriate sanctions.
  • H.Res. 971, Condemning Chinese actions against Japan in response to Taiwan statements and reaffirming U.S. commitment to Indo-Pacific allies.
  • H.R. 7674, A strategy to support a democratic transition in Venezuela.
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing: Member Day
• House Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence hearing: “Innovation at the Speed of Markets: How Regulators Keep Pace with Technology”
• House Budget Committee hearing: “The Best Metric to Reverse the Curse: A 3% Deficit-to-GDP Path to Fiscal Sustainability”
• House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance hearing: “Mitigation and Multiple Loss Properties: Factors Influencing the High Cost of Flooding”
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing: Member Day
• Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: “Open/Closed: Testimony on the posture of U.S. Space Command and U.S. Strategic Command in review of the FY27 Defense Authorization Request and the Future Years Defense Program”
• Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing: “Export-Import Bank Reauthorization”

Friday, March 27

• House Foreign Affairs Western Hemisphere Subcommittee hearing: “Latin America After the Fall of Maduro”

Executive Action of Note

Last week, President Trump signed an executive order creating the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud to “coordinate a comprehensive national strategy to stop fraud, waste, and abuse across Federal benefit programs, including housing, food, medical care, and cash assistance administered with State and local partners.” Vice President Vance will chair the task force. The President also signed an order stating that “it is the policy of the United States that no college football game, specifically college football’s CFP or other postseason games, be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army‑Navy Game.”

• Establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud - March 16, 2026
• Preserving America’s Game - March 20, 2026

Political Update

Oklahoma Senator. Once Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) is confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary and resigns his seat, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) will reportedly name Alan Armstrong to fill Mullin’s term. Armstrong is the CEO of the Williams Companies, an energy company based in Tulsa. Oklahoma law provides that a new Senator elected in November can assume office once the results of the election have been certified, but Stitt has said his appointee will serve until Jan. 3, 2027. Armstrong is precluded from running for the full term, and Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) has announced that he will run for the Senate seat.

Illinois Primary. In the March 17 Democratic primary to fill the seat of retiring Senator Dick Durbin (D), Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton defeated Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly for the nomination. Stratton is expected to claim the Senate seat in the November general election.

www.psw-inc.com