Send us a text

In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we break down H.R. 77, the Midnight Rules Relief Act. This bill seeks to amend the Congressional Review Act by allowing Congress to overturn multiple federal regulations issued in the final year of a president’s term through a single resolution of disapproval. Proponents argue that this measure enhances congressional oversight by preventing last-minute executive rulemaking from bypassing legislative scrutiny. Critics, however, warn that it could lead to sweeping rollbacks of vital regulations without individual review.

Join Brian Barnes along with our AI hosts Avery and Iris as they analyze the potential consequences of this bill, discussing how it impacts the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress. Does H.R. 77 ensure accountability, or does it risk legislative overreach? Tune in for a deep dive into the mechanics of midnight rulemaking and how this proposed law could reshape regulatory oversight.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we analyze three important bills impacting Native American and Alaska Native communities, each dealing with land ownership, self-governance, and economic security.

• H.R. 226, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act, transfers federal lands in Tennessee to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, recognizing their historical significance and ensuring tribal stewardship of sacred sites.

• H.R. 43, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act, addresses long-standing disputes over municipal land ownership by allowing Alaska Native Village Corporations to reclaim lands previously transferred to the state in trust, ensuring these lands remain under Native control.

• H.R. 42, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act, prevents certain trust payments to aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives from affecting their eligibility for federal benefits, providing a critical safeguard for some of the most vulnerable members of these communities.

Join Brian Barnes along with AI hosts, Avery and Iris, as they break down these bills, exploring their legal, cultural, and economic implications. How do these legislative efforts reflect the ongoing balance between federal oversight and tribal sovereignty? And what do they signal about the evolving landscape of Native American self-determination?

Tune in to understand the policy shifts at play and their impact on Indigenous communities across the U.S.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we analyze H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act, the only bill currently scheduled for legislative action next week. This bill aims to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, strengthening law enforcement’s ability to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. It also includes provisions to streamline research into fentanyl analogs for medical and scientific purposes.

But there’s more to the story. With no legislative action scheduled this week and a recent flurry of executive orders, what does it mean that this is the only bill on the congressional agenda? Join Brian Barnes and our AI hosts, Avery and Iris, as they break down the implications for the balance of power between Congress and the executive branch. Is this a sign of a stalled legislative process, or a strategic move to prioritize urgent public safety concerns?

Tune in as we unpack the policy, politics, and power dynamics behind the HALT Fentanyl Act and what it tells us about the current state of lawmaking in Washington.

Support the show

Send us a text

Season 2 is here with the 119th Congress!!!

In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we examine The Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at tightening immigration enforcement in cases involving theft-related crimes. The proposed legislation mandates the Department of Homeland Security to detain non-citizens charged with burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting in the United States. It also grants state attorneys general the authority to take legal action against federal agencies for non-compliance with detention requirements, marking a significant shift in the interplay between state and federal oversight of immigration policies.

Join Brian Barnes along with AI hosts Avery and Iris as they break down the provisions of this act, exploring its potential impact on law enforcement, state-federal dynamics, and the broader immigration debate. This episode unpacks how this legislation seeks to balance public safety concerns with the complexities of immigration reform.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we explore H.R. 115, the Midnight Rules Relief Act. This legislation seeks to amend the Congressional Review Act to allow Congress to pass joint resolutions disapproving multiple agency regulations issued during the final year of a presidential term. By enabling en bloc consideration of such rules, the bill aims to streamline oversight and provide Congress with a stronger mechanism to counteract what it deems overreach in executive rulemaking.

Join Brian Barnes & our AI hosts, Avery and Iris as theydelve into the implications of this proposed legislation, discussing how it could impact the balance of power between Congress and federal agencies, the efficiency of government oversight, and the potential risks of curbing regulatory processes. Join us as we break down this contentious bill and its broader significance in the context of administrative law and separation of powers.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we navigate through S. 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024. This comprehensive bill addresses critical issues in water resource management, from improving the nation’s rivers and harbors to enhancing stormwater management and tackling invasive aquatic species. The legislation also focuses on flood risk mitigation, coastal restoration, and drought resilience, emphasizing both economic and environmental benefits.

Join Brian Barnes & our AI hosts, Avery and Iris as they unpack the key provisions of this transformative legislation, highlighting its potential impact on infrastructure, public safety, and environmental conservation. Learn how the act seeks to modernize water resource projects and support underserved communities while addressing challenges like climate change and resource sustainability.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we delve into H.R. 5349, the Crucial Communism Teaching Act. This bill directs the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop and disseminate a civic education curriculum aimed at high school students. The curriculum focuses on increasing awareness of communism’s historical atrocities, highlighting its impact on over 100 million victims worldwide, and fostering an understanding of how these political ideologies conflict with the principles of U.S. democracy. (The committee report on the bill can be found here).

Join Brian Barnes & our AI hosts, Avery and Iris, as they break down the key components of the bill, exploring its potential to shape civic education by addressing critical gaps in students’ knowledge of communism and totalitarianism. Learn how this legislation could influence the next generation’s understanding of freedom, democracy, and civic responsibility.

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we examine H.R. 10127, the Restoring Trade Fairness Act. This bill proposes a dramatic shift in U.S.-China trade relations by suspending China’s normal trade relations stat us and imposing increased tariffs on goods imported from the country. Aimed at countering China’s predatory trade practices, intellectual property theft, and human rights violations, the legislation also seeks to bolster American economic resilience and reduce reliance on adversarial nations.

Join Brian Barnes along with AI hosts, Avery and Iris as they break down the intricacies of this bold legislative move, analyzing its potential impacts on supply chains, U.S. manufacturers, and the global trade landscape. Tune in to understand how this bill fits into broader efforts to recalibrate America’s economic strategy amid rising tensions with China.

Support the show