SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
The Senate passed two satellite-security bills Sept. 23 that take different approaches to commercial space risks. One would restrict certain FCC approvals for entities on the agency’s Covered List, while the other would create studies, coordination and voluntary cybersecurity guidance; both now await House action.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Congress has sent the Romance Scam Prevention Act to the president after the Senate passed it without amendment. The bill would require dating platforms to alert users when an account that messaged them is later banned for fraud, with enforcement by the FTC and state attorneys general.
CONGRESS
Senate debate over the Protect College Sports Act highlighted a divide over whether Congress should set national rules for college athletics or give schools and the NCAA broader antitrust protection. Senators scheduled a Sept. 24 vote on the bill’s substitute amendment after considering proposals on HBCU infrastructure, state-law preemption and foreign financing.
CONGRESS RECAP
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed five measures by unanimous consent and confirmed a federal district judge Wednesday while the House was out of session. Objections blocked quick action on voter identification and health-price transparency bills, and the Senate continued work on legislation governing college sports.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
A Senate amendment filed to a college-sports bill would make broad changes to energy and mineral permitting, including pipeline reviews, water-quality certifications, mining mill sites and environmental litigation. The proposal was ordered to lie on the table, meaning it was submitted but not adopted.
COURTS
The Senate voted 52-43 to end debate on Angela Veronica Colmenero’s nomination to be a U.S. district judge for the Southern District of Texas. The vote did not confirm her; the Senate set a separate confirmation vote no later than Sept. 25 and scheduled disposition of the nomination for the next day.
WORLD AFFAIRS
House lawmakers introduced a resolution Sept. 21 calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Gulshan Abbas and condemning transnational repression aimed at speech in the United States. The nonbinding measure was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and was not passed that day.
WHITE HOUSE & EXECUTIVE
The EPA transmitted to Congress a major final rule described as a partial repeal of carbon-pollution standards for fossil-fuel-fired power plants. The House referred it to the Energy and Commerce Committee under the Congressional Review Act process, without voting that day to approve or block it. In separate remarks, Rep. Katherine Clark criticized what she called the administration’s attacks on science and research.
CONGRESS
The Senate voted 70-21 to end debate on a Cruz substitute amendment to the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, advancing the measure without passing it. The proposal would set federal rules for NIL agreements, athlete transfers, revenue sharing and certain media-rights arrangements, while amendments on coach pay, private equity, foreign financing and legal liability remained unresolved.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici introduced H.R. 10515 on Sept. 21, proposing a federal framework for artificial intelligence in education and workforce development. The House referred it to three committees, and a separate AI cyber-defense pilot bill was introduced the same day.
CONGRESS RECAP
The Senate advanced a college sports bill and a Texas judicial nomination Tuesday while the House remained out of session. Senators also passed two land measures, adopted recognition resolutions and placed additional legislation and a fiscal 2027 budget resolution on the calendar, but neither major Senate matter received final action.
CONGRESS RECAP
The House met briefly Monday, took no legislative floor votes and referred new bills on artificial intelligence, airline fees, housing and research. The Senate remained out of session as the House also announced a subpoena-enforcement certification involving Leon D. Black and previously signed enrolled bills.