House Adopts Rule for Bills on Lead Ammunition, Deporting Fraudsters, and Animal Cruelty; Passes Two Bills Under Suspension
The House convened for a session that included morning-hour debate, one-minute speeches, and votes on two bills under suspension of the rules. The primary legislative action was the consideration and adoption of H. Res. 1115, a rule providing for the consideration of three bills: H.R. 556 (Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act), H.R. 1958 (Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026), and H.R. 4638 (Federal Working Animal Protection Act). The debate on the rule was marked by sharp exchanges regarding federal spending priorities, immigration policy, and the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
The adoption of H. Res. 1115 paves the way for future floor consideration of legislation addressing federal land use for hunting and fishing, the deportation of non-citizens convicted of fraud, and protections for law enforcement animals. The debate highlighted deep divisions over federal spending, particularly concerning the war in Iran and DHS funding, underscoring the challenges in legislative consensus on critical national issues.
House Resolution 1115
H. Res. 1115Question before the chamber
Adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638.
The case for
Ms. Foxx and Mr. McDowell argued that the rule enables consideration of legislation aligned with American priorities: restoring law and order by deporting criminal aliens (H.R. 1958) and protecting law enforcement animals (H.R. 4638), and respecting consumer choice and freedoms by removing regulations on hunting and fishing (H.R. 556). They asserted that Republicans are focused on delivering on these demands and are addressing fraud and the national debt, contrasting this with what they characterized as Democratic spending addiction and opposition to tax relief for working families.
The case against
Mr. McGovern and Ms. DeLauro argued that the bills enabled by the rule are "distraction after distraction" that ignore the real issues of rising costs for Americans (gas, groceries, rent, healthcare) and the ongoing "reckless and illegal war in Iran" costing "a billion dollars a day." They criticized the administration's economic policies and the statement by a top economic adviser that hurting consumers was the "last of our concerns." They also contended that H.R. 4638 is redundant as harming law enforcement animals is already illegal and deportable. They proposed an alternative to fund law-abiding DHS agencies (TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA) but not ICE and CBP, which they characterized as "lawless and reckless."
Disposition
Adopted · recorded vote
The rule was adopted, setting the terms for future consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638.
196-193
Amendments
- Mr. McGovern proposed to defeat the previous question on the rule to offer an amendment to bring up H.R. 7481, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act 2026, which would fund law-abiding DHS agencies but not ICE and CBP. (Mr. McGovern) — Not voted on directly as the previous question was ordered.
Who is affected
- American taxpayers: Republicans argued the rule's underlying bills would protect taxpayers from fraud by non-citizens and that their fiscal policies reduce waste, while Democrats contended that the administration's war spending and tariffs are increasing costs for taxpayers.
- Non-citizens convicted of fraud or harming law enforcement animals: The bills enabled by the rule would make these individuals explicitly inadmissible and deportable, increasing enforcement against them.
- Hunters and Anglers: H.R. 556, enabled by the rule, would prohibit federal agencies from banning lead ammunition or tackle on certain federal lands, preserving current practices for these groups.
- Department of Homeland Security employees (TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA): These employees are currently working without pay due to the ongoing DHS shutdown, which was a central point of contention during the rule debate, with Democrats attempting to secure their funding.
- ICE and CBP agencies: Democrats opposed funding these agencies without reforms, citing concerns about their actions, indicating a desire to restrict or reform their operations.
Rule Adopted for Three Consequential Bills
highThe House adopted H. Res. 1115, a rule setting the terms for considering H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638. This procedural step advances legislation impacting federal land use, immigration enforcement, and criminal penalties.
DHS Funding Dispute Continues
highDuring the rule debate, Democrats attempted to force a vote on a bill to fund law-abiding components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while excluding funding for ICE and CBP, but this effort was blocked by the ordering of the previous question. This indicates the ongoing impasse over DHS appropriations.
Bills on Blue Catfish and Small Business Innovation Passed
mediumThe House successfully passed two bills under suspension of the rules: H.R. 4294, the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act of 2026, and S. 3971, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act. These measures address specific economic and environmental initiatives.
Sharp Partisan Exchange on Spending and Priorities
mediumDebate on the rule featured strong rhetoric from both parties, with Republicans emphasizing law and order and fiscal responsibility, while Democrats criticized the administration's economic policies, rising costs, and spending on the war in Iran.