Week of April 10, Recap and an April 13  look ahead

Week in Review:

Congress:

  • Reconciliation Update: Congressional Republicans continue to deliberate on a new party-line budget reconciliation bill to fund ICE and CBP. Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) visited the White House to brief the President on Senate Republicans’ plans for a budget reconciliation bill.
  • Surface Transportation Reauthorization: The markup of the surface transportation bill has been delayed from April 14 until late April. Lawmakers will reportedly continue negotiating the top-line funding level and several outstanding programs. The last surface transportation bill, the IIJA, expires in September and is being leveraged by local governments to build infrastructure.
  • House Republicans Release WIOA Reauthorization Bill: House Education and Workforce Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The bill moves all functions and any officer or employee under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act from the Education Department to the Labor Department. The bill also prioritizes artificial intelligence (AI) and digital literacy skills in adult education programs.

Trump Administration:

  • DHS Secretary Discusses Sanctuary Cities: On Monday, April 6, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said during an appearance on Fox News that the Department will ”take a hard look” at pulling customs officers from airports in sanctuary cities.
  • IRS Issues QOZ Guidance: The IRS issued guidance outlining the process for designating a new round of Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) beginning January 1, 2027. The guidance aims to encourage development in low-income areas by establishing updated eligibility criteria for low‑income census tracts, eliminating the use of contiguous (non‑low‑income) tracts, and setting new limits on the number of tracts states may designate per designation period.
  • College Sports Executive Order: President Trump signed an executive order (EO) on April 3 directing the NCAA to limit athletes to five years of eligibility and create rules on transferring. The EO takes effect August 1, 2026, with noncompliant schools at risk of losing federal funding.
  • Trump Announces Iran Ceasefire: On Tuesday, April 7, President Trump announced a two-week pause in the war in exchange for Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. Negotiations are expected to continue on the terms of a final peace deal.

Grants:

  • FTA Ferry Grant Program: The FTA announced the availability of $657 million to modernize passenger ferry service in rural and urban communities nationwide. The Ferry Grant Program provides funds to modernize terminal infrastructure, launch new ferry routes, and fund new ferries. Applications are due May 11, 2026.
  • Safe Streets for All NOFO: The DOT announced $993 million for projects and strategies to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets. Applications are due May 26, 2026.

The Week’s News:

  • Republicans win Georgia special election race (POLITICO)
  • Virginia and Florida consider redistricting (NYT)
  • Lawmakers preview midterm strategies (NOTUS)

Week Ahead 4.13 – 4.17

  • The House and Senate are in session this week. The Senate returns April 13, and the House returns April 14.

DHS Funding: 

While Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains without funding this week, House and Senate Republicans are expected to align on priorities this week for the budget reconciliation measures they aim to pass by June 1st to fund ICE and CBP. Then, the House could vote this week on an FY26 Homeland Security appropriations bill that funds all of DHS, excluding ICE and CBP, which would unlock funding for FEMA grants, emergency preparedness programs and public safety operations that local governments rely on.

Reconciliation 2.0: 

Last Friday, President Trump expressed his support for a budget reconciliation package narrowly focused on immigration enforcement, as opposed to a larger package containing additional priorities. With the Senate back in session this week, the Senate Budget Committee could have a budget resolution released by the end of this week, with votes in the Senate on a package as early as the week of April 20th. The current Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) surface transportation authorization, which governs federal highway, public transit, and safety programs, expires on September 30, 2026.

FY27 Appropriations: 

Congress will hold multiple budget hearings this week, as outlined below:

Hearings and Markups:

The House and Senate will also hold the following hearings and markups this week:

Top stories:

  • Pope Leo responds to Trump’s attack: ‘I’m not afraid of the Trump administration’ (The Hill)
  • Trump’s partisan AI pitch stalls on the Hill (Politico)
  • Trump’s Iran threats resonate even after ceasefire announcement (Roll Call)