Congressional Record — February 12, 2026

Overview of the day

The legislative activity for February 12, 2026, included House proceedings regarding the passage of legislation for projectile device classification and markups on veterans' benefits. Senate activity focused on appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security, debates over immigration and election integrity, and committee hearings on the Securities and Exchange Commission, NTSB reports, public lands, energy bills, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and various nominations. The Senate also passed H.J. Res. 142 and agreed to several resolutions.

Summary of the House proceedings

The House passed H.R. 2189, which modernizes Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons by removing "less-than-lethal projectile devices" from the federal definition of a "firearm" to reduce bureaucracy and costs associated with the tax code.

H.R. 2189 was passed with a vote of 233 yeas and 185 nays.

H.R. 2189 and H.R. 4242 were mentioned as necessary for law enforcement to obtain Taser 10 devices.

H.R. 2189 had 1 amendment proposed to it.

H.R. 2870 was reported by the committee to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide compensatory time for private sector employees.

H.R. 6047 was ordered to be reported as the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026.

H.R. 3726 was ordered to be reported as the Fisher House Availability Act of 2025.

H.R. 3482 was ordered to be reported as the Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act.

H.R. 785 was ordered to be reported as the Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025.

H.R. 2148 was ordered to be reported as the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act.

H.R. 7520 was introduced to delay the implementation of an efficiency adjustment to work relative value units under the Medicare physician fee schedule.

H.R. 7521 was introduced to lift the trade embargo on Cuba.

H.R. 7522 was introduced to repeal the work requirement that disqualifies able-bodied adults from participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

H.R. 7523 was introduced to ensure domestic sources of vanadium for steel, infrastructure, energy, and defense.

H.R. 7524 was introduced to establish an Older Workers' Bureau and a data hub in the Department of Labor.

H.R. 7525 was introduced to authorize counter-unmanned aircraft system authorities for state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement.

H.R. 7526 was introduced to modify flightcrew member duty and rest requirements for all-cargo operations of air carriers.

H.R. 7527 was introduced to terminate the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate.

H.R. 7528 was introduced to allow outsourcing facilities to continue supplying the market after a drug is in shortage.

H.R. 7529 was introduced to require States to consider legal issues affecting youth as part of case planning.

H.R. 7530 was introduced to provide additional assistance to rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems.

H.R. 7531 was introduced to allow Americans to earn paid sick time.

H.R. 7532 was introduced to designate the USPS facility at 4431 Main Street in Philadelphia as the "Dr. Constance 'Connie' E. Clayton Post Office".

H.R. 7533 was introduced to reauthorize and expand the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy grant program.

H.R. 7534 was introduced to establish a goal for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans in procurement contracts.

H.R. 7535 was introduced to require coverage of 12 mental health telehealth visits per calendar year for certain previously incarcerated individuals under Medicaid.

H.R. 7536 was introduced to expand the student loan interest deduction to include payments toward principal.

H.R. 7537 was introduced to prevent exploitative private equity practices.

H.R. 7538 was introduced to establish requirements for safe placements for unaccompanied alien children.

H.R. 7539 was introduced to direct a study on chameleon carriers in the United States.

H.R. 7540 was introduced to enhance bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Israel.

H.R. 7541 was introduced to create annual restrictions on the H-2A temporary worker program.

H.R. 7542 was introduced to make school lunches free for all children and reimburse delinquent school meal debt.

H.R. 7543 was introduced to promulgate limitations regarding pre-production plastic pellet pollution.

H.R. 7544 was introduced to make aliens convicted of animal cruelty inadmissible and deportable.

H.R. 7545 was introduced to prohibit assistance funds for the Government of Israel from being used for certain violations of international law.

H.R. 7546 was introduced to provide Medicare coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment.

H.R. 7547 was introduced to provide for joint research and development between the Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture.

H.R. 7548 was introduced to prohibit online platforms from displaying fraudulent or deceptive commercial advertisements.

H.R. 7549 was introduced to establish a National Council on African American History and Culture.

H.R. 7550 was introduced to make permanent the deduction for seniors.

H.R. 7551 was introduced to prohibit Federal agency heads from entering agreements with entities that discriminate against Federal law enforcement.

H.R. 7552 was introduced to impose sanctions on foreign countries in response to acts concerning chemical or biological programs.

H.R. 7553 was introduced to update the FAA type certification process for new and novel technologies.

H.R. 7554 was introduced to exclude carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide from the definition of air pollutant.

H.R. 7555 was introduced to ensure the Department of Defense achieves a clean audit opinion on financial statements.

H.R. 7556 was introduced to require employers to provide retirement programs equivalent to the Federal Employees Retirement System.

H.R. 7557 was introduced to require congressional approval for certain tariffs, duties, or quotas regarding NATO allies.

H.R. 7558 was introduced to direct the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to use interoperable image-sharing software.

H.R. 7559 was introduced to deny deductions for outsourcing payments.

H.R. 7560 was introduced to select a fiscal agent for the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program.

H.R. 7561 was introduced to modify limitations on individual deductions for certain state and local taxes.

H.R. 7562 was introduced to establish an Office of Small Farms.

H.R. 7563 was introduced to prohibit the importation of certain rare earth magnets from covered nations.

H.R. 7564 was introduced to prevent the purchase of ammunition by prohibited purchasers.

H.R. 7565 was introduced to ensure sufficient food assistance for the civilian population of Gaza.

H.R. 7566 was introduced to establish a pilot program for job guarantee grants.

H.J. Res. 149 was introduced to recognize the 125th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps.

H. Res. 1061 was introduced to recognize the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2026.

H. Res. 1062 was introduced to denounce statements by President Donald J. Trump regarding the potential nationalization of elections.

H. Res. 1063 was introduced to support the goals of Career and Technical Education Month.

H. Res. 1064 was introduced to support the designation of February 16, 2026, as International Black Aviation Professionals Day.

(Public Law 118-225) S. 3705 was signed by the Speaker and the President pro tempore, creating a congressional time capsule for the semiquincentennial of the United States.

H.R. 161, H.R. 251, H.R. 392, H.R. 433, H.R. 1061, H.R. 1241, H.R. 1246, H.R. 1340, H.R. 1421, H.R. 1422, H.R. 1492, H.R. 1529, H.R. 1542, H.R. 1792, H.R. 1939, H.R. 1993, H.R. 2029, H.R. 2192, H.R. 2253, H.R. 2343, H.R. 2675, H.R. 2711, H.R. 2864, H.R. 3112, H.R. 3151, H.R. 3360, H.R. 3482, H.R. 3757, H.R. 3826, H.R. 4231, H.R. 4541, H.R. 4581, H.R. 4966, H.R. 5267, H.R. 5475, H.R. 5476, H.R. 5509, H.R. 5517, H.R. 5536, H.R. 5545, H.R. 6166, H.R. 6219, H.R. 6256, H.R. 6312, H.R. 6391, H.R. 6434, H.R. 6617, H.R. 6677, H.R. 6694, H.R. 6786, H.R. 6962, H.R. 6976, H.R. 6987, H.R. 7016, H.R. 7100, H.R. 7120, H.R. 7184, H.R. 7208, H.R. 7223, H.R. 7230, H.R. 7235, H.R. 7340, H.R. 7345, H.R. 7354, H.R. 7371, H.R. 7373, H.R. 7421, H.R. 7441, H.R. 7450 had additional sponsors added.

H. Res. 776, H. Res. 971, H. Res. 981, H. Res. 1047, H. Res. 1058 had additional sponsors added.

H.R. 5616 was amended by the Clerk to correct punctuation in the text.

Summary of Senate proceedings

The Senate passed H.J. Res. 142, which disapproves the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.

S. 1070 was reported by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an amendment in the nature of a substitute to establish a National STEM Week.

S. 71 was favorably reported to require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars.

S. 1898 was favorably reported to establish a demonstration program for the active remediation of orbital debris.

S. 2585 was favorably reported to modernize and improve the Broadband Funding Map.

S. 3199 was favorably reported to address challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

S. 3266 was favorably reported to support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

S. 3468 was favorably reported to establish a national programmable cloud laboratories network.

S. 3639 was favorably reported to expedite processing of satellite and space licenses.

S. 3700 was favorably reported to establish an expert review panel for a safety management system at the FAA.

S. 462, S. 1349, S. 1464, S. 1497, S. 1981, S. 2417, S. 2554, S. 2754, S. 2787, S. 2860, S. 2968, S. 3004, S. 3082, S. 3493, S. 3526, S. 3527, and S. 3695 were examined in a hearing regarding energy and public lands.

H.R. 204, H.R. 677, H.R. 952, H.R. 1829, H.R. 3872, and H.R. 3937 were examined in a hearing regarding energy and public lands.

H.R. 7147 is a bill making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.

The Senate continued consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 7147.

A cloture motion to proceed to H.R. 7147 was rejected with 52 yeas and 47 nays.

H.R. 4553 was mentioned during a request for unanimous consent to provide a 2-week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security, but the request was objected to.

S. 3805 was mentioned in a request for unanimous consent to make it a crime for State or local officials to refuse to turn over criminal illegal immigrants to Federal authorities, but the request was objected to.

S. 3854 was introduced to advance weather models through collaborative research.

S. 3855 was introduced to enhance bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Israel.

S. 3856 was introduced to require States to provide recipient-level data for the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

S. 3857 was introduced to prohibit the admission of nationals of the People's Republic of China without a valid visa.

S. 3858 was introduced to authorize the use of leftover Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program funds for emergency warning infrastructure.

S. 3859 was introduced to amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993.

S. 3860 was introduced to establish an Office of Small Farms.

S. 3861 was introduced to reauthorize and expand the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy grant program.

S. 3862 was introduced to require child care provider payments based on verified attendance.

S. 3863 was introduced to terminate the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate.

S. 3864 was introduced to establish a pilot program for job guarantee grants.

S. 3865 was introduced to prevent discrimination and harassment in employment.

S. 3866 was introduced to update the FAA type certification process.

S. 3867 was introduced to require higher compensation for employees working on legal public holidays.

S. 3868 was introduced to direct a report on Federal criminal offenses.

S. 3869 was introduced to allow Americans to earn paid sick time.

S. 3870 was introduced to permit greater flexibility in incumbent worker training programs.

S. 3871 was introduced to address vehicle roadside crashes and work zone safety.

S. 3872 was introduced to provide Medicare coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment.

S. 3873 was introduced to prevent the purchase of ammunition by prohibited purchasers.

S. 3874 was introduced to prohibit government attorneys from being influenced by political association in prosecutions.

S. 3875 was introduced to study and regulate unfair or deceptive advertising of firearms.

S. 3876 was introduced to spur entrepreneurial ecosystems in underserved communities.

S. 3877 was introduced to address the needs of workers in industries impacted by evolving technologies.

S. 3878 was introduced to establish the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson College as affiliated areas of the National Park System.

S. 3879 was introduced to ensure domestic sources of vanadium.

S. 3880 was introduced to address the exemption and reporting of private fund advisers.

S. 3881 was introduced to reauthorize the Tsunami Warning and Education Act.

S. 3882 was introduced to award grants for legal resources for extreme risk protection orders.

S. 3883 was introduced to remove linguistic barriers to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies.

S. 3884 was introduced to provide grants to businesses affected by Federal immigration enforcement.

S. 3885 was introduced to update the FAA type certification process.

S. 3886 was introduced to establish total nurse staffing hours per resident day in nursing homes.

S. 3887 was introduced to improve prohibitions on discrimination by public accommodations.

S. 3888 was introduced to develop AI training resources for small businesses.

S. 3889 was introduced to clarify Federal interest rate exportation parity for State-chartered banks.

S. 3890 was introduced to establish a National Council on African American History and Culture.

S. 3891 was introduced to establish an independent commission for immigration enforcement oversight.

S. 3892 was introduced to prohibit price gouging and surveillance-based price setting in retail food stores.

S.J. Res. 107 was introduced to disapprove an IRS rule regarding Clean Electricity Production and Investment Credits.

S.J. Res. 108 was introduced to disapprove certain foreign military sales to Ukraine.

S. Res. 610 was agreed to, congratulating the Seattle Seahawks for winning Super Bowl LX.

S. Res. 609 was agreed to, authorizing Ryan Alban, Lisa Gibbens, and Jill Wyman to testify in the case of United States v. Crouse.

S. Res. 611 was agreed to, authorizing the use of the Philip A. Hart Senate Office Building atrium for a Bipawtisan Doggi Gras Pawrade.

H. Con. Res. 74 was agreed to, providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.

S. Con. Res. 27 was referred to the Committee on Armed Services to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps.

S. Res. 608 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary regarding clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell.

S. Res. 607 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary to honor the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School attack.

H.R. 261, H.R. 3617, and H.J. Res. 72 were referred to their respective committees.

S.J. Res. 103 was discharged from the Committee on Veterans Affairs to provide for congressional disapproval of a Department of Veterans Affairs rule relating to Reproductive Health Services.

(Public Law 118-225) S. 3705 was presented to the President of the United States as an act to provide for the creation of a congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial of the United States.

Rear Adm. Jo-Ann F. Burdian, Rear Adm. Joseph R. Buzzella, Jr., Vice Adm. Nathan A. Moore, and Rear Adm. Douglas M. Schofield were confirmed for positions of importance and responsibility in the Coast Guard.

S. 71, S. 2585, S. 3199, S. 3266, S. 3468, S. 3639, S. 3700 each had 1 amendment proposed to them.

H.R. 7147 had 4 amendments proposed to it.

H.R. 4553 had 1 amendment proposed to it.

Written by an AI model from that day's Congressional Record, not by a person. It was too long to read in one pass, so it was analysed in 6 parts and merged. .