Tag: House of Representatives

The House of Representatives convened on February 27, 2025, addressing legislative matters, including passing a resolution disapproving an energy regulation and receiving presidential messages extending national emergencies related to Ukraine and Venezuela.

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Key Legislative Actions

House Passes Resolution Disapproving Energy Efficiency Rule

The House approved H.J. Res. 20, which disapproves a Department of Energy (DOE) rule regarding energy conservation standards for consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters.

• Final Vote: 221-198, 2 Present (Roll No. 53)
• Latest Action: Motion to reconsider laid on the table and agreed to without objection.

The resolution moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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National Emergencies for Ukraine and Venezuela Extended

The House received two messages from the President, notifying Congress that the national emergencies related to Ukraine and Venezuela will continue beyond their expiration dates in March 2025.

• Ukraine: Executive Order 13660 (March 6, 2014) and subsequent orders will remain in effect due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine. (H. Doc. 119-22, referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs).
• Venezuela: Executive Order 13692 (March 8, 2015) will continue, citing political instability and human rights concerns. (H. Doc. 119-21, referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs).

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Additional House Actions

• Unanimous consent agreement: The House will reconvene on March 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. for morning-hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business.
• Special Order and One-Minute Speeches: Members addressed various topics before adjournment.

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Adjournment and Next Meeting

The House adjourned at 2:10 PM, with the next session scheduled for March 3, 2025, at 12:00 PM.

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Looking Ahead

Upcoming House business will likely focus on budget discussions, pending Senate consideration of legislative disapprovals, and foreign policy measures. Further updates will follow as Congress resumes work next week.

The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 469, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, which provides for the creation of a Congressional time capsule to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Key Details of H.R. 469:

• Purpose: Establish a Congressional time capsule as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations in 2026.
• Sponsor: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12).
• Introduced: January 15, 2025.
• Latest Action: The House approved the bill on February 26, 2025, with a motion to reconsider laid on the table and agreed to without objection.

Next Steps

Now that H.R. 469 has passed the House, it moves to the Senate for consideration. If approved and signed into law, the time capsule will be curated by Congress and likely include historical documents, artifacts, and messages from current lawmakers, intended to be opened at a future date.

This initiative is part of broader semiquincentennial commemorations honoring the nation’s founding in 1776. Further updates will follow as the bill progresses through the Senate.

The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 250, a bill that directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the U.S. Capitol. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6) on January 9, 2025, was approved by the House on February 26, 2025.

Key Details of H.R. 250:

• Purpose: To commission and install a Benjamin Franklin statue in the Capitol.
• Sponsor: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6).
• Latest Action: A motion to reconsider was laid on the table and agreed to without objection, effectively finalizing House approval.

Next Steps

With House passage, H.R. 250 now moves to the Senate for consideration. If approved by both chambers and signed into law, the Joint Committee on the Library will oversee the selection and placement of the Franklin statue in the Capitol.

Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father, inventor, diplomat, and statesman, played a pivotal role in the founding of the United States. This statue would further commemorate his legacy in American history.

The Senate’s timeline for taking up the bill remains uncertain. Stay tuned for further updates.

The House of Representatives convened on February 25, 2025, addressing several legislative measures, including passage of the congressional budget resolution for FY 2025, approval of small business assistance bills, and observing a moment of silence for a fallen York, Pennsylvania police officer.

Key Legislative Actions

Budget Resolution Passed by Narrow Margin

The House approved H. Con. Res. 14, which establishes the congressional budget for the U.S. government for fiscal year 2025 and sets budgetary levels through 2034.

• Final Vote: 217-215 (Roll No. 50)
• Republicans: 217 Yeas, 1 Nay
• Democrats: 0 Yeas, 214 Nays, 1 Not Voting

The resolution was passed along party lines, with one Republican voting against it. It serves as a non-binding framework for federal spending, guiding appropriations and fiscal priorities.

House Approves Small Business Assistance Bills

Two bipartisan bills aimed at supporting small businesses were passed:

• H.R. 804 – Improves disaster assistance access for individuals in rural areas.
  • Passed 415-8 (Roll No. 49)
• H.R. 788 – Supports joint research and development activities between the Department of Energy and the Small Business Administration.
  • Passed 427-3 (Roll No. 48)

Both bills were approved under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage.

Moment of Silence for Fallen York, PA Police Officer

At 8:26 PM, the House observed a moment of silence in remembrance of a York, Pennsylvania police officer killed in the line of duty.

House Adjourns, Next Meeting Scheduled

After concluding Special Order speeches, the House adjourned at 9:50 PM by voice vote. The next session is scheduled for 10:00 AM on February 26, 2025.

Looking Ahead

The House will continue budget discussions and consider additional legislative measures in the coming days. Further debates on federal spending, small business policies, and regulatory oversight are expected in upcoming sessions.

The House of Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 14, the congressional budget resolution for fiscal year 2025, by a narrow 217-215 vote on February 25, 2025. The resolution also sets budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

Vote Breakdown

• Yeas: 217
• Nays: 215
• Present: 0
• Not Voting: 1

Party-Line Split

• Republicans: 217 Yeas, 1 Nay
• Democrats: 0 Yeas, 214 Nays, 1 Not Voting
• Independents: 0 Votes

The resolution passed largely along party lines, with one Republican voting against it and one Democrat not voting.

Next Steps

As a budget resolution, this measure does not require the President’s signature and is not a binding law. However, it serves as a blueprint for federal spending and revenue policies, guiding future appropriations and legislative decisions.

Further debates and negotiations will follow as Congress works to implement spending bills in alignment with the approved budget framework.

The U.S. House of Representatives held a full legislative session on February 24, 2025, passing several bills related to small businesses and concluding the day with a moment of silence for fallen Virginia Beach police officers before adjourning.

Key Legislative Actions

Throughout the day, the House voted on multiple bills related to Small Business Administration (SBA) policies and reforms, all considered under suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage.

Passed Bills:

• H.R. 825 – Prohibits individuals convicted of government fraud from receiving SBA assistance (Passed 405-0).
• H.R. 832 – Clarifies the primary functions of the SBA’s Office of Advocacy (Passed 396-15).
• H.R. 818 – Amends the Small Business Act to include new requirements for small business entrants in the SBA scorecard program (Passed 384-25).
• H.R. 828 – Requires reports on the veterans interagency task force and access to credit for veteran-owned small businesses (Passed by voice vote).
• H.R. 804 – Directs the SBA to improve disaster assistance access for individuals in rural areas (Further proceedings postponed).
• H.R. 754 – Amends the Small Business Investment Act to increase the amount invested in small business investment companies (Passed by voice vote).
• H.R. 788 – Provides for joint research and development activities between the Department of Energy and the SBA (Further proceedings postponed).

Moment of Silence for Virginia Beach Officers

At 7:14 p.m., the House observed a moment of silence to honor Virginia Beach police officers who were killed in the line of duty. The gesture was a solemn recognition of their service and sacrifice.

Special Order and One-Minute Speeches

Following the passage of key legislation, the House proceeded to one-minute speeches, where members addressed various topics. This was followed by Special Order speeches, allowing members to discuss broader legislative or policy issues.

Adjournment and Next Meeting

At 9:02 p.m., the House adjourned by voice vote, with the next meeting scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 25, 2025.

Looking Ahead

The House is set to continue its focus on economic and small business legislation while addressing ongoing national policy debates. More votes on pending small business reforms and disaster assistance measures are expected in the coming sessions.

Stay updated for further developments from Capitol Hill.

The U.S. House of Representatives began its legislative day at 1:00 p.m. today, moving through a series of routine but essential formalities before adjourning for the week. While the session was relatively brief, it set the stage for upcoming legislative discussions and appointments. Here’s a quick rundown of today’s activities.

Opening of the Session

At precisely 1:00 p.m., the House convened to start the day’s proceedings. As tradition dictates, the session began with a prayer delivered by House Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben, offering guidance and reflection before legislative work commenced.

Following the prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, led by the presiding chair, reinforcing the unity and commitment of lawmakers to serve the nation.

Leadership & Formal Approvals

Shortly after the pledge, the Speaker’s designated representative for the day, the Honorable Riley M. Moore, took the gavel as Speaker pro tempore. This temporary appointment ensured a smooth legislative flow in the absence of the Speaker.

One of the procedural steps involved the approval of the House Journal, the official record of the last legislative day’s proceedings. This step, while procedural, ensures transparency and continuity in House records.

Key Appointments to the Joint Economic Committee

One of the more notable actions of the day was the appointment of House members to the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), a bipartisan panel responsible for analyzing economic trends and advising Congress on policy decisions. The Speaker selected the following members to serve on this influential committee:

• Mr. Arrington
• Mr. Estes
• Mr. Smucker
• Ms. Malliotakis
• Mrs. Spartz
• Ms. Moore of Wisconsin
• Mr. Casten
• Mr. Min

These members will play a critical role in shaping discussions on economic growth, labor markets, and fiscal policy in the months ahead.

Adjournment and Next Meeting

By 1:04 p.m., after completing the necessary proceedings, the Speaker announced adjournment pursuant to House rules. The next scheduled meeting is set for 3:30 p.m. on February 21, 2025, when legislative business will resume.

What’s Next?

While today’s session was procedural in nature, the appointment of the Joint Economic Committee members signals upcoming discussions on economic policy. As Congress reconvenes later this week, expect debates on pressing fiscal matters, including potential legislative responses to ongoing economic challenges.

Stay tuned for further updates on key House activities and legislative developments!

The House of Representatives met briefly on February 17, 2025, handling a few procedural matters before adjourning until February 18, 2025, at 1:00 PM. With no major legislative votes on the agenda, the session focused on administrative tasks and committee appointments.

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Key Actions of the Day

📜 Senate Passes S. 146 – The House received a message from the Secretary of the Senate confirming that the Senate passed S. 146, the “Take It DOWN” Act

🏛️ Commission Appointment – The Democratic Leader appointed Dennis Cheng of New York to the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific History and Culture, continuing efforts to explore a permanent institution dedicated to Asian Pacific American heritage.

🙏 Opening Proceedings – The session began with a prayer by House Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Speaker’s approval of the legislative journal.

🛑 Adjournment – The House adjourned at 1:46 PM after completing these routine matters.