BAUMGARTNER'S WEEKLY VOTING RECORD

Civics 101 #8

March 23 – March 27, 2026

FOLLOWING HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS

Every week Spokane Indivisible will post a record of bills passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. We feel it is part of our civic duty, as standing members of We the People, to be aware of what bills are passed by our representatives and Senators in our name. We pay for their decisions with our tax dollars. We use the website clerk.house.gov and senate.gov (Floor Proceedings) to track bills. Other sites to find information about the House and Senate include justfacts.votesmart.org, govinfo.gov, c-span.org, LegisScan, and govtrack.us. We also use Wikipedia for historical congressional data.

Note: Due to the large number of bills considered by the House and Senate between March 23 -27 we are including full summaries for only a handful of important/contentious bills. The links included with each bill number will take you to the full summaries for all bills. We have also included comments on some selected bills.

Sylvia and the Indivisible Team

FUN FACTS

This edition of CIVICS 101 is LONG, so here are just a few facts about voice votes since so many bills this past week passed in this fashion, rather roll call votes. I wondered if the chair judges votes by sound – and yes, that’s in fact how it happens.

· Voice votes are about efficiency and consensus situations.

· They don’t record individual votes, thus removing accountability.

· Members can object and demand a recorded vote (electronic) if enough members support it (typically 1/5 of a quorum).

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LEGISLATIVE FLOOR ACTIVITY

March 23, 2026

No Legislative Activity on the House Floor

March 24, 2026

And ,of course, this has to be the first bill of the week:

H.R.4624 - Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026

Passed by voice vote.

This bill authorizes the establishment of private-sector Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) and otherwise expands the regulatory framework for professional boxing. (See CRS Report IF12982 for an overview of the federal regulation of professional boxing in the United States.)

Our rebuttal: We usually refrain from commenting, but WTH? We have two burning questions. (1). Is this exactly the top priority right now—because we’re all doing so well that we can’t think of anything better to focus on. I mean, who needs affordable gas, groceries, or housing when we can solve the urgent crisis of… boxing governance? Apparently, this is the hill we’re dying on. And (2). Does Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education (the quintessential Queen of Hearts “Off with their heads!”) and former PRESIDENT of World Wrestling Entertainment agree with INCREASED REGULATIONS of any killing field sport? I mean this could easily slither into the world of wrestling and then where would we be? We need answers.

H.R.2474 - Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act

Passed by voice vote.

This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s capability to incorporate low-orbit satellites in broadband projects. Specifically, the study must review and analyze the capacity and cost-effectiveness of using satellite broadband service for business purposes and economic development.

H.R.6480 - To direct the Administrator of General Services to submit a report to Congress on the state of the real estate portfolio of the Public Building Service, and for other purposes.

Passed by voice vote.

This bill requires the General Services Administration to annually report to Congress on the state of the Public Building Service’s real estate portfolio for the previous calendar year. (The Public Building Service acquires, manages, and disposes of space on behalf of more than 100 federal agencies. Currently, it owns or leases 359 million square feet in more than 8,500 buildings.)

H.R.6481 - Federal Building Threat Notification Act

Passed by voice vote.

This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Federal Protective Service (FPS) to develop and disseminate emergency communication guidance for building facility security committees to use in life safety events that threaten federal buildings owned and operated by GSA under the protection of FPS. (Life safety events are events to which first responders deploy.)

The guidance must include best practices and protocols relating to (1) procedures to inform building tenants of threats to the building or its occupants, and (2) instructions for safety practices in response to threats or heightened risk to the building or its occupants.

Our rebuttal: It is odd this bill is being proposed now. Perhaps….perhaps this might have some related application to all the concentration camps being wildly purchase by – the federal government – and the potential of protests at those facilities that could (would?) be considered life safety events. Give them an inch and they WILL take a mile.

H.R.7388 - Smart Space Act of 2026

Passed by voice vote.

This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to publish a recommended list of public building projects for which public-private partnerships and alternative financing methods should be used.

Under the bill, GSA must hold consultation meetings to identify alternative financing solutions for the construction, renovation, or preparation for disposal of public buildings that will reduce costs to the federal government. Such meetings must include experts in private commercial real estate and federal real estate. If available, state real estate experts with experience leveraging private financing for public buildings and facilities must also be included.

Our rebuttal: This one is simple RICH, considering the raging controversy regarding the use of MILLIONS of dollars of taxpayer money purchasing warehouses to convert to concentrations camps. Nearly all of the contracts under the direction of Noem and Lewandowski are highly suspect with collective payments being millions of dollars over standard pricing. Yes, rich.

H.Con.Res.73 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.

Agreed to in the House.

H.R.7342 - Made in America Jobs Act of 2026

Passed by voice vote.

This bill expands the criteria for various grants under the Economic Development Administration’s public works program to include projects that facilitate the relocation of employment opportunities into the United States or the growth of the manufacturing sector.

Specifically, the bill modifies grants for (1) public works and economic development; (2) planning and administrative expenses; (3) training, research, and technical assistance; and (4) regions experiencing adverse economic changes.

Our rebuttal: This bill prioritizes reshoring and manufacturing growth through local infrastructure and planning, not direct subsidies. The infrastructure might be created, but doesn’t guarantee companies will actually relocate jobs. Another wild card is the impact of tariffs that (1) create higher input costs for US manufacturers, (2) trigger retaliation, (3) raise consumer prices slowing economic growth. We are assuming the Rs have addressed all of these issues……..

H.R.6618 - Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act

Passed by voice vote.

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study the effects of unmanned aircraft system (i.e., drone) incursions on wildfire suppression on public lands.

H.R.6267 - Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act of 2025

Passed by voice vote.

This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the impediments to the use of digital documentation and verification in the aviation supply chain as an aid in identifying falsified documentation and counterfeit parts.

H.R.5663 - ACPAC Modernization Act

Passed by voice vote.

This bill expands the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC) membership to include a ticket agent representative. ACPAC advises the Department of Transportation in carrying out activities relating to airline customer service improvements.

H.R.6427 - Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025

Passed by voice vote.

This bill reduces the requirements for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow a state to use its state highway standards, instead of federal standards, for airfield pavement projects at certain smaller commercial aviation airports. The bill also requires the FAA to act within a certain time period.

H.R.6460 - Recreational Drone Empowerment Act

Passed by voice vote.

This bill expands the areas in which recreational unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones) are authorized to fly.

H.R.2247 - Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act

Passed by voice vote.

This bill allows a pilot to present a digital copy of certain certificates (e.g., an airman certificate or a medical certificate) when required to present such documentation by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector or other official.

H.R.3410 - Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act

Passed by voice vote.

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow civil aircraft to operate at speeds above Mach 1 (i.e., supersonic) over land in the United States under certain conditions.

H.R.6422 - American Water Stewardship Act

Passed the House. 378 Yes/32 No

This bill reauthorizes several water quality protection and restoration programs of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and makes related requirements. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2031 the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Long Island Sound Partnership program, the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, the National Estuary Program, and the BEACH Act program; and modifies other programs.

Our rebuttal: Looking specifically at our own the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program (CRBRP) -- Program Goals include: reducing toxic pollution in water and fish, improving ecosystem health, protecting human health (especially high fish consumers), restoring habitat for native species, and supporting sustainable economic uses of the river.

Each of the above requires political support and funding via the EPA. To no one’s surprise we found the following: The R’s 2026 House budget proposed BROAD CUTS to EPA programs that fund the CRBRP including major cuts to Clean Water Act programs, large reductions to State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG), cuts of 15-31% to core water programs, and cuts to Geographic/Ecosystem Restoration Programs.

Across the aisle, however, Democrats (esp PNW members) introduced legislation to reauthorize and sustain funding emphasizing toxic cleanup, tribal health and salmon recovery. Again, we are not surprised.

March 25, 2026

H.Res.1135 - Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.

Agreed to in the House.

H.R.5103 - Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act of 2025

Passed the House. 218 Yes/206 No -- largely along party lines

This bill establishes a commission in the executive branch to advise on certain criminal and immigration matters in the District of Columbia (DC). It also establishes a federal program to ensure that commonly visited areas in DC are cleaned and maintained.

First, the bill establishes a commission made up of representatives from the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for DC, Maryland, and Virginia; specified federal agencies; and other designated federal entities. The commission must recommend actions to, among other tasks, address enforcement of federal immigration law in DC, facilitate the provision of federal resources to reduce crime, and assist with recruitment and retention of DC’s Metropolitan Police Department officers.

Next, the bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish a program to coordinate and maintain the cleanliness of commonly visited areas in DC, including monuments, parks, and roads. The program must also restore damaged or removed federal public monuments and similar properties.

Our rebuttal: There are bad bills, and then there are BAD bills. This bill is deeply concerning on several levels:

· It disturbingly sets a precedent for federal intervention in other cities.

· It replaces local governance with federal control over a city of 700,000 people by expanding federal involvement in local policing priorities and immigration enforcement.

· It politicizes public safety and immigration policy.

· Beautification provisions are a pretext for expanded control, thus becoming a policy vehicle.

What could go wrong?

March 26 2026

H.Res.1128 - Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security.

Agreed to in the House. 225 Yes/187 No.

This resolution recognizes the importance of fully funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The resolution also (1) cautions that Americans are at greater risk each day DHS is subject to a lapse in appropriations, and (2) expresses gratitude to DHS employees for their commitment to protect the United States.

H.R.8029 - Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act

Passed the House. 218 Yes/206 No. Largely along party lines.

This bill provides appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the remainder of FY2026. It also ends the partial DHS shutdown that began on February 14, 2026, because the continuing resolution (CR) that was funding DHS expired and a regular FY2026 DHS appropriations bill had not been enacted.

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DHS for Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight; Security, Enforcement, and Investigations; appropriations for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery; appropriations for Research, Development, Training, and Services; and also authorizes back pay, in accordance with current law, for federal employees who were affected by the partial DHS shutdown.

For context: H.R. 8029 is a separate, newly introduced bill separate from the major contentious H.R. 7147 appropriations bill the Senate passed and sent back to the House. The purpose of this bill is targeted/stopgap funding for DHS personnel during the shutdown, not a full appropriations bill. HR. 8029 still needs to pass the Senate for funding to be approved.

March 27, 2026

H.Res.1142 - Providing for disposition of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 7147) making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

Agreed to in the House. 213 Yes/203 No (all D)

H.R.7147 - Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026

Passed House. Passed Senate. Resolving Differences.

House agreed to Senate Amendment (03/27/2026)

This bill provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through May 22, 2026. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and is meant to end the partial DHS shutdown that began on February 14, 2026, due to a lapse in appropriations for DHS.

The CR generally funds most DHS agencies and programs at the FY2025 levels through the earlier of May 22, 2026, or the enactment of the FY2026 DHS appropriations act.

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SENATE LEGISLATIVE FLOOR ACTIVITY

March 23, 2026

S. 921 A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on whether hospital emergency departments should implement fentanyl testing as a routine procedure for patients experiencing an overdose, and for other purposes.

-- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S. 4164 A bill to make technical corrections to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

-- Passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 660. A resolution honoring the service and sacrifice of Air Force Major John A. Klinner, Air Force Major Ariana G. Savino, Air Force Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, Air Force Captain Seth R. Koval, Air Force Captain Curtis J. Angst, and Air Force Master Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons.

-- Agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Con.Res. 29 A concurrent resolution authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha I.

-- Agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

March 24, 2026

H.R. 7147. A bill making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

--See H.R. 7147 above under March 27, 2026 legislative activity.

S. 629. A bill to amend the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to remove barriers to agricultural producers in accessing funds to carry out emergency measures under the emergency conservation program, and for other purposes.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

This bill revises the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to expand eligibility for payments to agricultural producers and owners of forest land impacted by natural disasters.

S. 1383. Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025. A bill to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes.

Did not get 60 votes for passage.

Our rebuttal: It is of significant interest that the Bill Summary on congress.gov is actually Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act. It appears that Congress can take an existing bill number and replace its entire text with something else = an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Reasons to do this: (1) avoids restarting the process, (2) can bypass committee steps or deadlines, and/or (3) leadership can move priority legislation faster. This process is also contentious and reduces transparency for the public. NSS.

March 25, 2026

H.R. 7147. A bill making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

S. 858. A bill to authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.

--Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S. 1142. A bill to adjust the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to include the Scarper Ridge property.

-- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S. 1383. A bill to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes.

-- Still trying to pass the SAVE America Act. Nice try.

S.Res. 648. A resolution honoring the memory, service, and sacrifice of Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amor, United States Army Reserve.

-- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous

S.Res. 661. A resolution recognizing the 205th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating democracy in Greece and the United States.

-- Agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

March 26, 2026

H.R. 7147. A bill making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

S. 1383. A bill to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes. It’s still the SAVE America Act.

March 27, 2026

H.R. 7147. A bill making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

S.Res. 647. A resolution designating March 21, 2026, as “National Osceola Turkey Day”.

-- Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 664. A resolution to constitute the majority party’s membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen.

-- Agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 665. A resolution designating April 2026 as “National Native Plant Month”.

-- Agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res. 666. A resolution designating the first week of April as “National Asbestos Awareness Week”.

-- Agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.