Week of March 16, 2026
House and Senate Action
House
The House has postponed its first votes until Tuesday afternoon due to inclement weather in the DC area. The chamber is set to consider several bipartisan public lands and natural resources bills this week, including measures focused on wildfire recovery and forest resilience. Among them is the Save Our Sequoias Act (H.R. 2709), which aims to protect California’s giant sequoia groves by accelerating science-based forest management and restoration efforts to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Lawmakers are also scheduled to vote on the Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act (H.R. 528), which would direct the Department of the Interior to identify lands damaged by natural disasters and carry out priority reforestation and ecosystem restoration projects in coordination with states, tribes, and local partners.
Later in the week, the House is expected to consider the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act (H.R. 556), which would prohibit federal agencies from banning the use of lead ammunition or fishing tackle on federal lands and waters unless such restrictions are consistent with state law and supported by science.
Senate
The Senate is expected to spend much of the week in a prolonged and contentious debate over a major election-reform package (the SAVE America Act), as Republican leaders attempt to advance the House-passed bill despite lacking the 60 votes needed for passage. Majority Leader John Thune plans to allow extended floor debate and amendment votes before ultimately setting up a cloture vote that is expected to fail. The process could stretch over several days and may be interrupted by other votes, including a potential Senate vote on an Iran war powers resolution.
Congressional Outlook
Several high-stakes issues are emerging on Capitol Hill that could dominate the congressional agenda in the coming weeks. The White House and Hill Republicans have begun early discussions on a potential supplemental funding package related to the ongoing conflict in Iran. While the White House has not yet sent a formal request to Congress, early estimates suggest the package could exceed $100 billion. Because it may serve as one of the few major must-pass legislative vehicles of the year, lawmakers are already eyeing it as an opportunity to attach additional priorities, setting the stage for a potentially significant debate over spending levels, offsets, and possible limits on the administration’s authority.
At the same time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has now been shut down for more than 30 days, leaving tens of thousands of employees unpaid and raising operational concerns at airports and other security checkpoints. Despite ongoing discussions, little to no progress has been made in recent weeks toward reopening the department. The situation comes as the Senate prepares for a confirmation hearing this week for Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), the president’s nominee to lead DHS.
Meanwhile, tensions within the House Republican conference continue to complicate the legislative outlook. Several hardline conservatives have warned they will block floor action unless congressional leaders advance the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed election integrity proposal focused on requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and tightening certain election procedures. The standoff is creating additional challenges for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as he attempts to move legislation in the coming weeks.
House Committee to Mark Up Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act (H.R. 2766) on Wednesday morning. The bipartisan legislation, led by Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), would establish the first formal definition of “special district” in federal law.
The bill, which is NSDA's top federal legislative priority, would also direct the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to federal agencies clarifying that special districts should be recognized as local governments for purposes of ensuring that districts have access to all appropriate forms of federal financial assistance.
It should be noted that H.R. 2766 is identical to legislation that was overwhelmingly approved by the full House of Representatives in 2024, with the exception of the title.
Pursuant to H.R. 2766, federal agencies would have one year to implement OMB’s guidance and to conform any agency policy, principle, practice, procedure, or guideline relating to the administration of federal financial assistance programs. Implementation of the bill’s requirements would result in special districts being formally recognized as units of local government across the federal bureaucracy, thus ensuring that special districts are adequately included in federal-state-local planning processes and have access to all relevant funding streams and grant programs.
Relevant Hearings and Markups
House Budget
Tuesday, March 17 | 10:15 a.m. ET | The full committee will hold a hearing entitled, "The Congressional Budget Office's Budget and Economic Outlook."
House Energy and Commerce
Tuesday, March 17 | 10:00 a.m. ET | The Subcommittee on Energy will meet for an oversight hearing entitled, "Winter Storm Fern Lessons: Supplying Reliable Power to Meet Peak Demand.”
Tuesday, March 17 | 2:00 p.m. ET | The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will discuss the Trump Administration's efforts to proactively tackle Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
Wednesday, March 18 | 10:15 a.m. ET | The Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on the role that providers play in making health care more affordable.
House Judiciary
Wednesday, March 17 | 10:00 a.m. ET | The Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust will hold a hearing to examine issues of competition and regulation in maritime shipping.
House Oversight
Tuesday, March 17 | 2:00 p.m. ET | The panel will hold an oversight hearing entitled, "The Financial Future Under Postmaster General Steiner."
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Tuesday, March 17 | 2:00 p.m. ET | The Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold a hearing to receive testimony on a broad package of water, hydropower, and reclamation measures, including a pair of bills sponsored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) that aim to help address growing water supply challenges in the state.
Senate Environment and Public Works
Tuesday, March 18 | 10:00 a.m. ET | The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife will hold a hearing to examine the challenges and opportunities with implementing the Endangered Species Act.
Senate Homeland Security
Tuesday, March 18 | 9:30 a.m. ET | The panel will consider the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin to be the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.