Congressional Record — May 21, 2026

Overview of the day

The House of Representatives focused on veterans' affairs legislation, including the passage of H.R. 1041 and H.R. 6047, while H.R. 1329 failed to pass. House committees conducted markups and hearings on appropriations and various other legislative measures. The Senate passed several resolutions and S. 4631, and began consideration of judicial nominations. Senate activity also included the passage of legislation regarding shark attack alerts and veterans' medical facilities, alongside discussions on reconciliation and Medicare coverage.

Summary of the House proceedings

H.R. 1041 was passed to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system.

H.R. 6047 was passed to increase dollar amounts for certain disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation, expand VA home loan eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members with 14 days of Active Duty, and increase home loan funding fees for refinancing to offset costs.

H.R. 1329 failed to pass, which would have permitted the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall and limited the museum's scope to biological women.

H.R. 8736, H.R. 8705, H.R. 7362, H.R. 7895, and H.R. 8684 were ordered reported, as amended, by the Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R. 7389, H.R. 4541, H.R. 5160, H.R. 2001, H.R. 6238, H.R. 8205, and H.R. 2715 were ordered reported, as amended, by the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H.R. 2145, H.R. 4348, H.R. 3747, H.R. 8209, H.R. 1493, H.R. 3491, H.R. 2821, H.R. 5347, and H.R. 1703 were ordered reported, without amendment, by the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H.R. 3164, H.R. 8163, H.R. 8875, H.R. 8883, H.R. 8871, H.R. 8884, H.R. 8873, and H.R. 8872 were ordered reported, as amended, by the Committee on Ways and Means.

The Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on H.R. 184, H.R. 2785, H.R. 7695, H.R. 8682, H.R. 8686, H.R. 8688, and H.R. 8735.

The Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 1010, H.R. 7954, H.R. 8483, and H.R. 8658.

H.R. 1041 had 1 amendment proposed to it.

H.R. 8951 was introduced to establish mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for fraud offenses.

H.R. 8952 was introduced to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish a LGBTQI rural outreach grant program.

H.R. 8953 was introduced to amend the Food Emergency Assistance Act of 1983 to restore choice to community food assistance providers regarding identification requests.

H.R. 8954 was introduced to amend the Indian Tribal Regulatory Reform and Business Development Act of 2000 to transfer administrative responsibilities to the Secretary of the Interior.

H.R. 8955 was introduced to prohibit the use of Federal funds for payments to the Anti-Weaponization Fund.

H.R. 8956 was introduced to expand special overtime pay eligibility for U.S. Border Patrol agents classified above grade GS-12.

H.R. 8957 was introduced to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and programs for the transparent management of Federal Government Bitcoin holdings.

H.R. 8958 was introduced to grant Crook County, Oregon, a right-of-way for a new road in Juniper Canyon.

H.R. 8959 was introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 regarding the advanced manufacturing investment credit for semiconductor facilities in outer space.

H.R. 8960 was introduced to establish a subsidy program for eligible producers for revenue losses from direct-to-market beef sales.

H.R. 8961 was introduced to amend the Public Health Service Act for a public awareness campaign in schools regarding youth suicide prevention resources.

H.R. 8962 was introduced to direct the Secretary of Defense to publish a list of prohibited dietary supplement ingredients for members of the Armed Forces.

H.R. 8963 was introduced to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula.

H.R. 8964 was introduced to improve the safety and regulation of pasteurized donor human milk.

H.R. 8965 was introduced to promote economic security and safety for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

H.R. 8966 was introduced to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain uses of administrative subpoenas for customer communications and records.

H.R. 8967 was introduced to extend the rural community hospital demonstration program.

H.R. 8968 was introduced to prohibit the President from filing a civil action against the United States.

H.R. 8969 was introduced to realign nuclear forensics and attribution activities from the Department of Homeland Security to the National Nuclear Security Administration.

H.R. 8970 was introduced to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research on gambling disorder.

H.R. 8971 was introduced to establish a veterans visa program allowing removed veterans to return as immigrants.

H.R. 8972 was introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include optional practical training for F-1 visa holders as employment for certain tax purposes.

H.R. 8973 was introduced to authorize the Medal of Honor for Sergeant Rafael Peralta.

H.R. 8974 was introduced to authorize the Development Finance Corporation to invest in Venezuela.

H.R. 8975 was introduced to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding race groups on State report cards.

H.R. 8976 was introduced to improve the treatment of women in the legal system.

H.R. 8977 was introduced to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it a felony to fraudulently sign ballot access documentation.

H.R. 8978 was introduced to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to promote campus mental health and suicide prevention plans.

H.R. 8979 was introduced to staff high-need public schools with school-based mental health services providers.

H.R. 8980 was introduced to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require overtime pay for employees working on legal public holidays.

H.R. 8981 was introduced to establish a measurement research program for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biometrology in the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

H.R. 8982 was introduced to direct the Secretary of State to advocate for the recognition of the Central Tibetan Administration.

H.R. 8983 was introduced to increase veterinarian compliance with PDMP requirements.

H.R. 8984 was introduced to prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from operating new processing or detention sites without public comments, State and local agreements, and Congressional notice.

H.R. 8985 was introduced to establish a rental assistance program for low-income veteran families.

H.R. 8986 was introduced to amend the Social Security Act to designate certain facilities as critical access hospitals under Medicare.

H.R. 8987 was introduced to amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 regarding the recall and reappointment of career members.

H.R. 8988 was introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a business credit for gain from the sale of real property used as a manufactured home community.

H.R. 8989 was introduced to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to evaluate strategies to prevent suicide among children and adolescents.

H.R. 8990 was introduced to amend the Clean Air Act to exclude marginal wells from certain standards of performance.

H.R. 8991 was introduced to amend title 28, United States Code, regarding factors for stays pending appeal.

H.R. 8992 was introduced to establish a panel to review certiorari petitions.

H.R. 8993 was introduced to amend title 28, United States Code, regarding original and concurrent jurisdiction for district courts over certain civil actions.

H.R. 8994 was introduced to empower independent music creator owners to collectively negotiate with online platforms.

H.R. 8995 was introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the excise tax on remittance transfers.

H.R. 8996 was introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide bonus depreciation for long-term residential rental housing.

H.R. 8997 was introduced to amend the Social Security Act to require States to guarantee legal representation to children and parents in child protection proceedings.

H.R. 8998 was introduced to require the Transportation Research Board to evaluate innovative hull designs and alternative material construction technologies for waterborne transit systems.

H.R. 8999 was introduced to designate the postal facility at 324 Washington Avenue, Suite 1 in Grand Haven, Michigan, as the "Ell Thomas Simantz Post Office Building".

H.R. 9000 was introduced to amend the Public Health Service Act for a public awareness campaign on type 1 diabetes screening.

H.R. 9001 was introduced to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a demonstration project on over-the-counter hearing aids.

H.R. 9002 was introduced to amend the Social Security Act to extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support program.

H.R. 9003 was introduced to prohibit the Postal Service from enforcing a rule regarding the mailing of certain firearms.

H.R. 9004 was introduced to require public safety notices at certain construction, reopening, and improvement projects.

H.R. 9005 was introduced to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide zero-percent interest loans for certain rural hospitals.

H.R. 9006 was introduced to establish a centralized portal within the Department of Veterans Affairs for information on unclaimed remains of veterans.

H.R. 9007 was introduced to establish a pilot program providing financial assistance to purchase infant formula.

H.R. 9008 was introduced to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require employers to allow meal, rest, restroom, and medical breaks.

H. Res. 1313 was submitted to condemn the hateful comments of Texas congressional candidate Maureen Galindo.

H.R. 1993, H.R. 2616, H.R. 3234, H.R. 4544, and H.R. 5317 were passed by the House and concurrence is requested from the Senate.

Summary of Senate proceedings

S. 4631 was passed to ensure that whistleblowers, including contractors, are protected from retaliation when a Federal employee orders a reprisal.

S. 1003 was passed to require the FCC to issue orders for wireless emergency alerts regarding shark attacks.

S. 2393 was passed to authorize a major medical facility project for the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis, Missouri, for fiscal year 2026.

(Public Law 118-225) S. 4530 was signed to authorize an increase of the retirement age for members of the Capitol Police.

S. Res. 747 was agreed to, expressing support for the designation of May 2026 as Renewable Fuels Month.

S. Res. 676 was agreed to, recognizing and honoring National Mushroom Day.

S. Res. 749 was agreed to, designating May 2026 as Older Americans Month.

S. Res. 750 was agreed to, recognizing National Public Works Week.

S. 323 was reported with amendments to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs.

S. 2 had 3 amendments proposed to it.

S. 4641 was introduced to count time spent in hospital observation status toward the 3-day inpatient hospital requirement for skilled nursing facility services.

S. 4640 was introduced to award grants for crisis center follow-up services and improve 9-8-8 accessibility.

S. Res. 751 was introduced to designate May 2026 as "ALS Awareness Month".

S. Res. 752 was introduced to designate May 2026 as "Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration Awareness Month".

S. Res. 753 was introduced to express the sense of the Senate to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by 2050.

S. Res. 754 was introduced to reaffirm congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8) and bipartisan Taiwan policy.

S. Res. 784 was submitted to condemn a settlement agreement in Trump v. Internal Revenue Service regarding the "Anti-Weaponization Fund".

S. 1473, S. 3023, S. 4460, and S. 4631 were passed by the Senate and concurrence is requested from the House.

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. .