Bipartisan housing relief and homeland security gridlock

This episode analyzes the legislative landscape of March 12, 2026, headlined by the Senate's bipartisan passage of the Housing for the 21st Century Act in a decisive 89-10 vote. While Senators from both parties celebrated this significant effort to expand the affordable housing supply and curb private equity's influence on single-family homes, the session was simultaneously defined by intense gridlock over funding the Department of Homeland Security. Leaders engaged in sharp floor debates regarding TSA pay and ICE accountability, highlighting deep partisan divides even as Congress faced the pressures of an ongoing war with Iran and the looming expiration of FISA surveillance authorities. Amidst these high-stakes debates, the House held a brief session to introduce a wide array of new legislation and process committee reports on public safety and natural resources.

Congressional Record Analysis of the following dates:

March 12, 2026

https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/browse-by-date

Bills

• H.R. 6644: Housing for the 21st Century Act (Passed Senate).
• H.R. 7147: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026.
• S. 4064: Digital commodities regulation.
• S. 4092: No Crypto in Social Security Act.
• S. 4095/H.R. 7903: Justice for Hind Rajab Act (Accountability for Gaza attack).
• H.R. 7901/S. 4082: Foreign intelligence surveillance reforms (FISA).
• H.R. 7910/S. 4068: ACTION for National Service Act (AmeriCorps establishment).
• S.J. Res. 124: Removal of Armed Forces from hostilities in Cuba.
• H.R. 7890–7933: Extensive list addressing literacy, FAFSA fraud, ERISA kickbacks, TPS protection, chemical abortion drugs, working dog grants, AI biological datasets, gasoline tax holiday, land reparations, lithium-ion battery safety, and TRICARE coverage.
• S. 4069–4096: Senate bills on AI resources, podiatric services, child care liaisons, EV fire response, wildlife connectivity, and tariff rebates.
• H.R. 4553/S. 4073–4075: Funding for DHS, TSA, CISA, and FEMA.
• H.R. 7640, 2709, 6380: Reports on immigration enforcement, giant sequoias, and Chiricahua National Park.