Congressional recess in effect.

Congressional recess in effect.

Congressional recess in effect.

Congressional recess in effect.

Congressional recess in effect.

Both the House and Senate were in session during the week of May 23, 2026. While both chambers met, there were no reported votes, advanced bills, or committee hearings held during this period according to official records.

Looking ahead, the Senate is scheduled to return on Monday, June 1, to consider judicial nominations, including a cloture motion for Kathleen S. Lane to be a District Judge for the District of Montana and the nomination of Jeffrey M. Kuhlman for the District of Kansas. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has also scheduled two hearings: a Tuesday session regarding the fiscal year 2027 budget request for the Department of State and a Wednesday subcommittee hearing focused on national security strategy in the Western Hemisphere.

Both chambers in session.

The Senate is scheduled to convene at 3:00 PM on Monday, June 1. During this session, the chamber is expected to consider a motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #736, the nomination of Kathleen S. Lane to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana. Additionally, the Senate has scheduled the nomination of Jeffrey M. Kuhlman to be United States District Judge for the District of Kansas for floor consideration.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has two hearings scheduled for the upcoming week. On Tuesday, June 2, the committee will meet to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of State. On Wednesday, June 3, the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues will hold a hearing to examine the national security strategy's focus on the Western Hemisphere.

In the Senate, the Committee on the Judiciary recently held a hearing on Wednesday, May 20, regarding the nomination of Don Richard Berthiaume, Jr. He has been nominated to serve as the Inspector General for the Department of Justice, succeeding Michael E. Horowitz. The nomination is currently pending further consideration within the committee.

Both chambers in session.

On Friday, May 22, 2026, the House is scheduled to consider several bills under a suspension of the rules, including S. 2393, the Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act. Other legislation on the calendar includes H.R. 3482, the Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act, and H.R. 6506, the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act. These items are part of a broader agenda of eight bills being considered under the suspension of the rules.

On Wednesday, May 20, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing for Don Richard Berthiaume, Jr., of Virginia. Berthiaume has been nominated to serve as the Inspector General for the Department of Justice, a position previously held by Michael E. Horowitz. The nomination currently remains in committee for further consideration.

Congressional committees focused heavily on fiscal year 2027 budget requests for the National Institutes of Health and the Departments of Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. Secretary Doug Collins testified on the Department of Veterans Affairs budget, while the Senate Armed Services Committee reviewed Air Force posture. Legislative markups included H.R. 3164 and H.R. 8163 in the Ways and Means Committee, as well as H.R. 184 and H.R. 2785 in the Federal Lands subcommittee. Additionally, a House subcommittee held a hearing to examine the legitimacy of the Supreme Court.

Both chambers in session.

On Thursday, May 21, the House is scheduled to consider several bills under a suspension of the rules, including S. 2393, the Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act. Other legislation on the calendar includes H.R. 3482, the Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act, and H.R. 6506, the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act. These measures are part of a broader agenda of eight bills being considered under the suspension format.

The Senate is scheduled to convene at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Following remarks from leadership, the chamber will enter a period of morning business where senators may speak for up to ten minutes each. Discussions are expected to continue regarding the path forward for S.2, the Republican reconciliation bill (Cal.#417). While no specific votes are currently set, senators will be notified as they are scheduled.

On Thursday, May 21, several committees will hold hearings on fiscal year 2027 budget requests, including the National Institutes of Health and the Departments of Interior, Environment, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. Secretary Doug Collins will testify before the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs subcommittee regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs budget. The Senate Committee on Armed Services will review the Department of the Air Force's posture and the Future Years Defense Program, while the House Committee on Ways and Means will mark up several bills, including H.R. 3164 and H.R. 8163. Additionally, the Federal Lands subcommittee will consider H.R. 184 and H.R. 2785, and the Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet subcommittee will examine Supreme Court legitimacy.

On Thursday, May 21, the House passed H.R. 6047, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, in a 235-179 vote. The House also passed H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, with a 216-201 vote (D 7-200, R 208-1) after a motion to recommit the bill failed 208-210. H.R. 1329, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act, failed to pass the chamber in a 204-216 vote (D 0-210, R 203-6). Earlier, a motion to recommit H.R. 1329 failed in a 209-209 tie, with Democrats voting 209-0 and Republicans voting 0-208.

Congressional committees also held various hearings focused on national security and fiscal year 2027 budget requests. The House Intelligence and Homeland Security committees reviewed TSA modernization and intelligence reforms, while the Senate Budget Committee addressed S.Con.Res.33. Additional legislative discussions covered bank-fintech collaborations under H.R. 6552, sports betting integrity, and nuclear energy infrastructure through the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act.

Both chambers in session.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the House is scheduled to consider several bills under a suspension of the rules, including S. 2393, the Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act. Other legislation on the calendar includes H.R. 3482, the Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act, and H.R. 2954, the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act of 2025. The chamber will also address H.R. 6506, the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, several committees will hold hearings focused on national security, the budget, and technology. The House Intelligence and Homeland Security committees will review intelligence reforms and TSA modernization 25 years after 9/11, featuring witnesses such as Dr. Bruce Hoffman and Christopher Sununu. Budgetary matters will be addressed by the Senate Budget Committee regarding S.Con.Res.33 and by the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees concerning FY2027 requests for the Air Force and State Department adjacent entities. Technology and infrastructure discussions continue in the House Financial Services subcommittee on bank-fintech collaborations and H.R. 6552, while Senate subcommittees examine sports betting integrity and nuclear energy legislation, including the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the House passed several bills under suspension of the rules, including H.R. 1993 (415-0), H.R. 3234 (405-0), and S. 2393 (405-5). Other measures passed with broad support, such as H.R. 4544 (405-4), S. 1003 (401-6), H.R. 5317 (393-16), and a concurrence amendment to H.R. 6644 (396-13). In the Senate, the nomination of Evan Rikhye to be Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands was confirmed 52-47. This judicial vote followed a strict party split, with Republicans voting 52-0 in favor and Democrats voting 0-45 against.

Committee activity centered on fiscal year 2027 budget estimates for the Departments of Justice and Labor, as well as the Army. High-level hearings addressed security challenges in the Middle East and Africa, the posture of the Department of the Navy, and arms control. Additionally, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs met to discuss reconciliation recommendations, while other sessions examined national security threats related to CCP-linked scam networks.

Both chambers in session.

On Tuesday, May 19, the House is scheduled to consider several bills under a suspension of the rules, including S. 2393, the Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act. Other legislation on the calendar includes H.R. 2954, the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act of 2025, and H.R. 6506, the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act. These items are part of a broader agenda of eight bills being considered under the suspension of the rules process.

The Senate will convene at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Following leader remarks, the chamber will resume consideration of Sheria Akins Clarke to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina, with a cloture vote scheduled for 11:45 AM. At 2:15 PM, the Senate expects to vote on Clarke's confirmation, a cloture motion for nominee Evan Rikhye, and a motion to discharge S.J.Res. 185 regarding the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran.

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, several committees will hold hearings regarding fiscal year 2027 budget estimates, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and the Army. The Senate Committee on Armed Services will conduct both closed and open sessions regarding the Department of the Navy's posture and the Future Years Defense Program, while the House Committee on Armed Services will hear from Admiral Brad Cooper and others on security challenges in the Middle East and Africa. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will meet to consider reconciliation recommendations. Additionally, the Europe subcommittee will discuss arms control with Assistant Secretary Christopher Yeaw, and separate sessions will address CCP-linked scam networks and national security.

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Senate confirmed Sheria Akins Clarke to be U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina in a 52-38 vote (senate-119-2-127). The confirmation followed a 57-38 vote to invoke cloture on the nomination (senate-119-2-126). Additionally, the Senate voted 50-47 to invoke cloture on the nomination of Evan Rikhye to be Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands (senate-119-2-128). On the Rikhye cloture motion, the party breakdown was D 0-45 and R 50-0.

The Senate convened at 3:00 PM to address a significant slate of executive business. Following the provisions of S.Res.690, the chamber held a confirmation vote on a group of 49 en bloc nominations. The vote resulted in a 46-43 tally along party lines, with Republicans supporting and Democrats opposing the measure. The Senate also scheduled votes for the judicial nominations of Sheria Akins Clarke and Evan Rikhye for federal district court judgeships.

Both chambers in session.

On Monday, May 18, the House is scheduled to consider several bills under a suspension of the rules, including S. 2393, the Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act. Other legislation on the calendar includes H.R. 3482, the Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act, and H.R. 6506, the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act. These items are part of a broader agenda of eight bills being considered under the suspension of the rules procedure.

The Senate is scheduled to convene at 3:00 PM on Monday, May 18, 2026. Following leader remarks, the chamber will enter executive session to resume en bloc consideration of 49 nominations listed on the Executive Calendar. At approximately 5:30 PM, the Senate is expected to hold a confirmation vote on these 49 nominations pursuant to S.Res.690. Additional expected votes include the nominations of Sheria Akins Clarke and Evan Rikhye for federal district court judgeships.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, two congressional committees have scheduled oversight and modernization hearings. The Technology Modernization Committee will meet to discuss "PACT Act Implementation: Modernizing VA Disability Claims Through Effective Technology." Additionally, the Homeland Security Committee will conduct an oversight hearing regarding the Department of Homeland Security, featuring testimony from Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

On Monday, May 18, 2026, the Senate confirmed a group of en bloc nominations under the provisions of S. Res. 690. The vote (senate-119-2-125) was agreed to with a 46-43 tally. The outcome followed a party-line split, with Republicans voting 46-0 in favor and Democrats voting 0-41 against.

Both chambers in session.

On Monday, May 18, the Senate voted to confirm a group of executive branch officials. The chamber agreed to the En Bloc Nominations provided for under the provisions of S. Res. 690 by a vote of 46-43. The party-line vote finalized the appointments following the procedures established by the resolution.

On Monday, May 18, committees held hearings on Department of Homeland Security oversight and the use of technology to modernize VA disability claims under the PACT Act. On Tuesday, May 19, the Senate and House Committees on Armed Services reviewed the posture of the Navy, the Army, and national security challenges in the Middle East and Africa. Budget justifications for fiscal year 2027 were examined for the Departments of Justice and Labor, while the House Committee on Rules considered several bills including H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047, H.R. 1329, and H.R. 4312. Additional Tuesday sessions covered FAA safety measures, CCP-linked scam networks, arms control, commercial diplomacy, and lessons from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. Finally, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a business meeting on budget reconciliation, while other subcommittees addressed the Constitution and gerrymandering.

On Saturday, May 16, the House is scheduled to consider several measures under a suspension of the rules, including H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, as amended. Members will also address H.R. 2267, the NICS Data Reporting Act of 2025, as amended, and H. Res. 1252, a resolution memorializing law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

On Friday, May 15, the House is scheduled to consider several bills under a suspension of the rules, including H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, as amended. Members will also deliberate on H.R. 2267, the NICS Data Reporting Act of 2025, as amended, and H.R. 2071, the Save Our Shrimpers Act, as amended. Other scheduled business includes H. Res. 1252, a resolution memorializing law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

On Friday, May 15, 2026, two congressional committees have scheduled hearings regarding fiscal year 2027 budget matters. The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies subcommittee will meet to discuss the Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill. Additionally, the House Committee on Armed Services will hold a hearing on the Department of the Army Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request, featuring testimony from Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Acting Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve.

On Friday, May 15, 2026, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, by a vote of 400-15. The measure, which provides funding for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, saw support from both parties with a breakdown of D 189-15 and R 210-0. Earlier that day, the House rejected an amendment to the same bill (vote_id house-119-2-174) in a 80-333 vote. That amendment failed with 0 Democrats and 80 Republicans voting in favor, while 205 Democrats and 127 Republicans voted against it.