FY 27 Appropriations: The House passed a continuing resolution (CR) in a 220-205 vote on Tuesday, July 21 to extend current government funding through December 4, 2026. Most Democrats opposed the bill due to the lack of bipartisan negotiations. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has indicated that the Senate will work on its own measure to send back to the House when lawmakers return in September. The Senate measure is expected to incorporate some of the White House’s list of requests for special exceptions, referred to as "anomalies," which call on Congress to increase funding for military health programs, certain national security systems, operations of national parks and more. It also asks lawmakers to extend special authority for certain agencies, including for FEMA to spend disaster relief at a faster clip during the span of the funding patch.
Reconciliation 3.0: House Republicans adopted the budget resolution in a 216-214 vote on Wednesday, July 22, unlocking the process for passing the $95 billion Reconciliation 3.0 measure. The resolution now heads to the Senate where Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has signaled that the Senate plans to withhold action on the House-passed budget resolution to preserve the option of using a third reconciliation bill to extend government funding past September 30, 2026.
NDAA: The House passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a 216-212 vote on Wednesday, July 22. The House-passed NDAA includes the full SAVE America Act, which requires new documentary proof of citizenship, voter ID mandates, and criminal penalties for election officials. If enacted, counties would face immediate documentary proof of citizenship and voter ID requirements, leaving limited time to update systems, train election staff, and conduct voter outreach.
House Committee Advances Ratepayer Protection Act: On Tuesday, July 21, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced in a 52-0 vote the amended Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R.9340). The legislation would require states to consider adopting a federal standard directing data centers to pay the full cost of new generation and transmission upgrades needed to serve them. Committee leaders passed an amendment that narrows the bill to apply specifically to data centers.
Senate Nominations: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted on July 22 to advance 17 presidential nominees to the full Senate floor, including Cameron Hamilton for FEMA administrator. The Senate Commerce Committee advanced David Cummins’ nomination to be the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) administrator in a 15-13 vote along party lines. The Senate Intelligence Committee advanced the nomination of Jay Clayton to be director of national intelligence in a 9-8 vote on Tuesday, July 21. The Senate HELP Committee postponed its vote this past week on Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor due to lack of attendance. Also, the Senate on Thursday, July 23 teed up a package of more than 70 nominations, including David Cummins for TSA administrator and Hal Duncan to be deputy director of OMB, for future votes.
Sen. Graham Funeral: Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) funeral in Washington, D.C. will be held on Tuesday, July 28.
Trump Administration:
Sec. Duffy Releases Priorities for Surface Transportation Reauthorization: On July 22, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to the Senate Committees on Environment and Public Works; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs detailing the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) priorities for Surface Transportation Reauthorization. Secretary Duffy urged Congress to continue working to pass a long-term surface transportation bill but noted that if a short-term extension becomes necessary, DOT recommends several policy changes, including eliminating the Mass Transit Account within the Highway Trust Fund, consolidating several Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) programs, and allowing several IIJA programs to expire, such as the SMART and National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration grant programs.
FTA Launches Dashboard for Public Transit Systems: On July 23, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) launched its new online dashboard, called Transit Moves America. The dashboard publishes information on transit systems’ safety and security, accessibility, and system reliability.
Grants:
COPS Office Releases Law Enforcement Grants: The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) released $25 million in new grant opportunities to support law enforcement agencies. The COPS Office is hosting a webinar to discuss its open grant opportunities on Tuesday, July 28 at 1:00 PM ET.
Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grants (DIIG) to Open: The Department of Transportation (DOT) released a forecasted grant opportunity for the DIIG Program to provide grants to state, city, and county governments and metropolitan planning organizations to facilitate the use of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), referred to as drones, in critical infrastructure inspection. Eligible uses of grant funds include purchasing, leasing, or enhancing drone systems; contracting for services when internal expertise is lacking in the government entities; and supporting program management for these systems and operations. $9 million in funding will be available.
Bus/Bus Facilities & Low-No Grants to Open: The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2026 Bus/Bus Facilities and Low to No Emission grants will be published in the Federal Register on Monday, July 27. $610 million in funding will be available, and applications will be due September 21, 2026.
The Week’s News:
House pivots to midterms as members depart for recess (Semafor)
President Trump announces new tariffs on dozens of trading partners (POLITICO)
Senate Republicans defeat a motion to end Iran war (The Hill)
