Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2189) to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 261) to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3617) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
Summary
H.Res. 1042 is a procedural resolution that the House passed to allow floor consideration of three separate bills. This type of resolution does not itself enact policy but rather sets the rules for debating and voting on the underlying legislation.
The first bill (H.R. 2189) would modernize federal firearms laws to account for technological advancements and less-than-lethal weapons. The second bill (H.R. 261) would amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to streamline the process for installing and maintaining undersea fiber optic cables in marine sanctuaries by eliminating redundant authorization requirements if federal or state agencies have already approved such activities. The third bill (H.R. 3617) would amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to strengthen the nation's supply chain for critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials essential for energy production.
Now that the House has passed this resolution, it moves to the Senate for consideration. If the Senate approves the resolution, it would clear the way for floor votes on these three substantive bills. Citizens should note that passage of this resolution does not mean these bills will become law; each underlying bill would still need to pass both chambers and be signed by the President to take effect.
AI-generated summary
Lifecycle of the Bill
Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H2107-2115; text: CR H2107-2108)
Feb 10, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1042.
Feb 10, 2026
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 1042, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Neguse demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Feb 10, 2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2115-2116)
Feb 10, 2026
On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 214 (Roll no. 59).
Feb 10, 2026
Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On agreeing to the resolution Failed by recorded vote: 214 - 217 (Roll no. 60).
Feb 10, 2026
On agreeing to the resolution Failed by recorded vote: 214 - 217 (Roll no. 60).
Feb 10, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 10, 2026
On Ordering the Previous Question
On Ordering the Previous Question
The House voted 216-214 to order the previous question on H.Res. 1042, a special rule that sets the terms for considering three separate bills: H.R. 2189 (modernizing federal firearms laws for technological advancements and less-lethal weapons), H.R. 261 (amending the National Marine Sanctuaries Act regarding undersea fiber optic cables), and H.R. 3617 (securing critical energy resources and minerals for the Department of Energy). The previous question motion is a procedural step that, when passed, allows the House to vote on adopting the rule itself. This vote was strictly procedural and concerned only the framework for debating these three bills, not their substantive content. Ordering the previous question prevents further amendments to the rule and moves the House toward a final vote on whether to adopt the rule. If adopted, the rule will govern debate length, which amendments are permitted, and the overall process for considering each bill on the House floor. The vote was entirely party-line, with all 216 Republicans voting yes and all 214 Democrats voting no. This partisan split reflects disagreement over the bills' substance or the debate terms proposed, though the procedural motion itself does not determine the fate of the underlying legislation. The House will next vote on whether to adopt H.Res. 1042 itself, and if successful, proceed to debate and votes on the three bills.
The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Feb 9, 2026
Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H2107-2115; text: CR H2107-2108)
Feb 10, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1042.
Feb 10, 2026
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 1042, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Neguse demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Feb 10, 2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2115-2116)
Feb 10, 2026
On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 214 (Roll no. 59).
Feb 10, 2026
Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On agreeing to the resolution Failed by recorded vote: 214 - 217 (Roll no. 60).
Feb 10, 2026
On agreeing to the resolution Failed by recorded vote: 214 - 217 (Roll no. 60).
Feb 10, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 10, 2026
On Ordering the Previous Question
On Ordering the Previous Question
The House voted 216-214 to order the previous question on H.Res. 1042, a special rule that sets the terms for considering three separate bills: H.R. 2189 (modernizing federal firearms laws for technological advancements and less-lethal weapons), H.R. 261 (amending the National Marine Sanctuaries Act regarding undersea fiber optic cables), and H.R. 3617 (securing critical energy resources and minerals for the Department of Energy). The previous question motion is a procedural step that, when passed, allows the House to vote on adopting the rule itself. This vote was strictly procedural and concerned only the framework for debating these three bills, not their substantive content. Ordering the previous question prevents further amendments to the rule and moves the House toward a final vote on whether to adopt the rule. If adopted, the rule will govern debate length, which amendments are permitted, and the overall process for considering each bill on the House floor. The vote was entirely party-line, with all 216 Republicans voting yes and all 214 Democrats voting no. This partisan split reflects disagreement over the bills' substance or the debate terms proposed, though the procedural motion itself does not determine the fate of the underlying legislation. The House will next vote on whether to adopt H.Res. 1042 itself, and if successful, proceed to debate and votes on the three bills.
The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, H.R. 261, and H.R. 3617 under a closed rule and provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Feb 9, 2026