FY 2027 Appropriations: Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) released seven fiscal 2027 spending measures over the past week: Agriculture-FDA, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water, Homeland Security, Interior-Environment, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs. The measures would increase funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of the Interior (DOI) and replenish the depleted wildfire suppression fund. The Homeland Security bill proposes $28.4 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, approximately $2 billion above FY 2026 levels. Meanwhile, top Democrats are reportedly discussing a continuing resolution (CR) that could extend government funding into March or April.
Surface Transportation Reauthorization Update: Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), the presumptive chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, said he plans to build on the BUILD 250 Act in developing surface transportation reauthorization legislation in the 120th Congress. Larsen also identified completion of FAA and FEMA legislation as priorities for the next Congress, with another WRDA bill expected in 2028.
Permitting: On Monday, November 9, the Senate voted 73-25 to advance the updated BAAJA (S. 5653) to a final vote. While it is expected to pass in the Senate, the potential for floor consideration in the House before the end of the 119th Congress is less likely, as House Democratic Leader Jeffries (D-NY) has voiced concerns about the need for further input from the House on a permitting reform package.
Republicans Hold Leadership Elections: House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) defeated Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) in the conference vote for House Republican leader next year, while GOP Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-MI) won their respective races to retain their positions. Despite a push from some Senate conservatives to delay their leadership elections, Sens. John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Tom Cotton (R-AR) were re-elected to their Conference leadership posts with relative ease.
Van Hollen Announces Bid for Senate Majority Leader: Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced his bid for Senate Majority Leader in the 120th Congress after several progressive members and organizations urged him to challenge Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
House Passes Veterans Bill: On November 11, the House passed the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (H.R. 9237) by voice vote. The bill would increase retirement benefits for roughly 50,000 combat-injured veterans while offsetting the cost through changes that could reduce certain future disability claims.
Trump Administration:
USDA Issues Proposed Rule to Change SNAP Work Requirements: The Modification to Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults proposed rule would implement changes enacted under H.R. 1 to SNAP’s three-month benefit limit for certain adults subject to work requirements. The proposal would revise exemptions, tighten the criteria states must meet to obtain geographic waivers, and establish additional requirements governing the geographic areas, economic data, and state support used to justify waiver requests. It would also eliminate insufficient job availability as a basis for obtaining a waiver. Consistent with H.R. 1, individuals experiencing homelessness would no longer be exempt from the three-month limit, and the rule would update SNAP’s definition of a homeless individual. Comments are due by December 10, 2026.
USDA Issues Proposed Rule to Limit BBCE for SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Reforming Categorical Eligibility proposed rule narrows broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) by limiting SNAP categorical eligibility through TANF to households that actually receive TANF “assistance.” The proposal would eliminate states’ ability to confer categorical eligibility through certain non-cash or in-kind TANF or state maintenance-of-effort benefits and remove the existing “authorized to receive” standard. USDA estimates that the changes would affect 6.3 million people in FY 2029, with 17.6 percent of SNAP participants losing benefits because their income or resources exceed statutory limits. The proposal is projected to reduce federal SNAP spending by nearly $45 billion and states’ net SNAP spending by approximately $5.2 billion from FY 2027 through FY 2031. Comments are due by December 10, 2026.
HUD Announces Agency Reorganization: On November 10, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a notice of intent to reorganize and restructure its headquarters and field office operations to improve agency efficiency. Under the proposed structure, the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) would consolidate public housing responsibilities within one office and voucher programs within another. The Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) would similarly consolidate its non-disaster grant programs within a single office.
HUD Releases Final Mixed-Status Rule: On November 10, HUD finalized its Verification of Eligible Status rule, which requires citizenship or immigration status verification for all applicants in housing programs, regardless of age. The rule would permit only temporary prorated housing assistance while the eligibility of all household members is being verified.
President Trump Announces DOT Nominees: On November 10, President Trump formally nominated Mark Aesch to be Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Mr. Aesch is the founder and CEO of TransPro, a consulting firm that advises public-sector agencies on performance and financial turnarounds. He also previously led the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority. President Trump also nominated Loren A. Smith to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation. The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on November 19 to consider Aesch’s nomination.
President Trump Issues Determination to Exempt Wildfire Suppression from Certain Water Pollution Rules: On November 10, the Trump administration issued a presidential determination temporarily exempting federal wildfire suppression activities from certain federal, state, interstate, and local water-pollution requirements for one year.
Interior Department Releases 5-Year Plan: The Interior Department (DOI) Strategic Plan calls for transferring or selling certain federal lands to states, tribes, and local governments as part of an effort to “decrease the size of the federal estate.” Department officials said reducing the federal land portfolio would allow DOI to focus resources on “nationally significant” lands. The proposal has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, including former Interior Secretary Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT).
The Week’s News:
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) challenges Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for Senate Majority Leader position (POLITICO)
Democrats prepare oversight agenda for 120th Congress (The Hill)
