Austin Scott

This bill prohibits commercial fishing for South Atlantic red snapper during periods when recreational fishing for the species is closed in federal waters. The legislation would make it illegal for commercial fishermen to harvest red snapper or buy and sell the fish during recreational closure periods, with violations subject to penalties under federal fishing laws. The bill affects commercial fishing operations and seafood businesses in South Atlantic states including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, while potentially benefiting recreational anglers who have faced extremely short fishing seasons. The Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service must issue regulations to implement the prohibition within 90 days of the law's enactment. The legislation stems from frustration that commercial fishing seasons have lasted weeks or months while recreational seasons have been limited to one or two days, despite red snapper being described as a healthy fish population.

This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 8800) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8595) making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8884) to amend title II of the Social Security Act to reauthorize demonstration authority for the disability insurance program; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1383) commemorating the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the Working Families Tax Cuts; and for other purposes.

This bill redesignates Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Georgia as a full National Park, elevating its status within the National Park System. The redesignation primarily affects visitors and park management in Macon, Georgia, where the site contains important Native American mounds and cultural resources. The legislation requires the National Park Service to consult with Indian tribes, especially the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, on management decisions and to protect sacred and cultural sites while providing tribal access. Additionally, the bill directs the Interior Secretary to take approximately 134 acres of land into trust for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation within 180 days of their request, making it part of their Indian Reservation, though the land cannot be used for gaming activities. The legislation also permits fishing in park waters subject to safety and conservation rules developed in consultation with Georgia, and requires the park to prioritize hiring Native American tribal members when practicable.

Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans ActThis bill reauthorizes through 2031 the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) authority to carry out demonstration projects within the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. The bill also imposes requirements related to beneficiary income, project funding, and SSA reporting.SSDI demonstration projects must be designed to promote attachment to the workforce and generally involve temporary changes to SSDI policies tested on a subset of beneficiaries. Participation in a demonstration project must be voluntary. SSA’s authority to carry out these projects expired on December 31, 2022.Under the bill, SSA must ensure that an individual’s participation in a demonstration project does not reduce their total income. Further, the bill specifies that administrative expenses related to demonstration projects must be paid from funds appropriated for administration.Finally, the bill requires SSA to report to Congress 120 days before initiating a demonstration project. This is an increase from 90 days under current law. This advance notification must include evaluation metrics for the relevant project.

This bill would expand federal workers' compensation benefits for certain Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives employees by classifying them as "fire protection workers." Specifically, it would include Certified Fire Investigators and members of the National Response Team at the ATF in the definition of employees eligible for compensation for illnesses and diseases that develop from their work in fire protection activities. These employees would become eligible for federal compensation benefits similar to those provided to firefighters and other federal fire protection personnel for work-related health conditions. The change would apply to all compensation claims filed on or after the date the bill becomes law, with no specific funding amount mentioned in the legislation. This amendment primarily affects ATF personnel who investigate fires and respond to fire-related incidents as part of their job duties.

This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 7567) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2031, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2616) to require public elementary and middle schools that receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to obtain parental consent before changing a minor's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 33) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035; providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1318) to direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a program to identify American-Jewish servicemembers buried in United States military cemeteries overseas under markers that incorrectly represent their religion and heritage, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1346) to amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid Vapor Pressure under that Act, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

An amendment to strike the first section after the resolving clause and insert a new paragraph providing for the consideration of H.R. 8035.

This bill extends the controversial Section 702 surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until April 30, 2026. Section 702 allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign targets without a warrant, but this surveillance often captures communications involving Americans as well. The legislation affects all Americans whose communications may be incidentally collected during foreign intelligence operations, as well as the intelligence community that relies on these surveillance tools. The bill contains no new funding provisions and simply extends existing authorities that were set to expire, with the extension taking effect either when the bill is signed into law or by April 19, 2026, whichever comes first. This represents a temporary extension of surveillance powers that have been the subject of ongoing debate between national security advocates and privacy rights groups.

This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 8035) to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through October 20, 2027, and for other purposes.

This bill disallows a federal tax deduction for outsourcing payments.The bill defines outsourcing payments as any premium, fee, royalty, service charge, or other payment madein the course of a trade or business,to a foreign person (excluding a corporation or partnership organized under the laws of the United States or a U.S. possession), andfor labor or services which benefit (directly or indirectly) U.S. consumers.

Expedited Guaranteed Lender Pilot Program ActThis bill establishes a pilot program for an expedited qualification and approval process for eligible Department of Agriculture (USDA) bridge loans.Under a new pilot program, USDA must streamline the application review process for borrowers seeking USDA guaranteed bridge loans that are serviced by a Preferred Certified Lender. Specifically, USDA must consider streamlining the process for (1) certifying eligibility and reviewing financial information, and (2) making determinations regarding the farming plan and financial situation of an applicant.The pilot program expires on September 30, 2031.

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6945) to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to clarify the authority of States to use funds for pregnancy centers, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6359) to require institutions of higher education to disseminate information on the rights of, and accommodations and resources for, pregnant students, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 140) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.

The Purple Heart Freedom to Work Act modifies Social Security disability benefits for veterans who received the Purple Heart medal for service-connected injuries. Under current law, disabled beneficiaries lose their benefits if they earn too much money; this bill allows Purple Heart recipients to continue receiving disability benefits while working, though their benefits are reduced by $1 for every $4 they earn above the earnings threshold. The legislation also allows Purple Heart recipients to use a higher "substantial gainful activity" threshold—the same one currently available to blind beneficiaries—making it easier for them to continue working without losing benefits. These changes would take effect six months after the bill becomes law. The bill essentially gives Purple Heart recipients greater flexibility to work and earn income while maintaining their disability benefits, recognizing their service-related sacrifices.

H.R. 6598, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Research and Development Modernization Act of 2025, updates the CFTC's authority to conduct research programs focused on emerging technologies and market innovation. The bill allows the CFTC to establish programs that explore new technologies, assess their effects on commodity and financial markets, identify necessary regulatory adaptations, and create educational materials for the public. The legislation grants the CFTC flexibility to enter into non-traditional contracts and accept in-kind contributions (such as equipment, facilities, or services) from private partners to support research efforts, provided these contributions serve approved research plans and don't compromise the agency's independence or integrity. The CFTC must establish public policies governing these arrangements and report annually to Congress on all such transactions and contributions; the authority to accept non-monetary contributions expires on October 1, 2031. No specific funding amounts are authorized in the bill, as the programs would operate within the CFTC's existing budget authority.

This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 3898) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make targeted reforms with respect to waters of the United States and other matters, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3383) to amend the Investment Company Act of 1940 with respect to the authority of closed-end companies to invest in private funds; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3638) to direct the Secretary of Energy to prepare periodic assessments and submit reports on the supply chain for the generation and transmission of electricity, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3628) to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add a standard related to State consideration of reliable generation, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3668) to promote interagency coordination for reviewing certain authorizations under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1071) to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

This bill repeals the authority for a Senator to bring a civil action against the federal government if an internet service provider or the Senate Sergeant at Arms (SAA) accessed or disclosed, or accesses or discloses, data from the Senator's office to provide to a federal agency without following prescribed notice requirements. The authority applies to a qualifying instance occurring on or after January 1, 2022. The authority for the civil action was enacted in H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, which was signed by the President on November 12, 2026. The relevant provision requires written notice from the internet service provider or the SAA to the Senate office upon receipt of any legal process seeking access or disclosure of covered data. A Senator affected by a federal violation of the provision may sue the federal government for the greater of $500,000 per violation or the actual damages, plus attorney's fees and related costs.

This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 3838) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3486) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for individuals who illegally enter and reenter the United States after being removed, and for other purposes.

This resolution adopts H. Res. 589, a resolution calling for the Department of Justice to publicly release certain documents, records, and communications related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.

This resolution sets the rules for the House to consider four separate pieces of legislation in one package. The main bill (H.R. 3944) provides funding for military construction and Veterans Affairs programs for fiscal year 2026, which runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. The resolution also allows consideration of H.R. 275, which would require the Department of Homeland Security to publish monthly reports on encounters with "special interest aliens" attempting to enter the U.S. illegally. Additionally, it includes H.R. 875, which would make immigrants convicted of or who have committed driving under the influence offenses inadmissible to the U.S. and subject to deportation. Finally, the resolution allows debate on H.Res. 516, which condemns riots that allegedly occurred in Los Angeles in June 2025.

This resolution sets the rules for the House to consider two separate bills on the same day. The first bill would officially rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" in all federal documents and maps. The second bill would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from providing funding to colleges and universities that have partnerships with Confucius Institutes, which are Chinese government-sponsored cultural and language programs. Both bills would receive one hour of debate time before a final vote, with equal time given to supporters and opponents. The resolution waives normal procedural objections that could delay or block consideration of either bill, ensuring they can move quickly to a vote.

This bill redesignates the existing Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as a National Park and establishes a new adjacent National Preserve in Georgia, both to be managed as a single unit. The Secretary of the Interior can acquire additional land for both areas from willing sellers through donation or exchange, but cannot use eminent domain to seize property. The National Preserve will officially be established once sufficient land is acquired to form a manageable unit. The bill requires the Secretary to develop a comprehensive management plan within three years in consultation with a new advisory council, with special attention to protecting sacred sites and cultural resources important to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, including burial grounds and tribal cultural landscapes. Hunting will be allowed in the Preserve and fishing in both areas under state and federal law, with state consultation on any restrictions. The bill also grants tribal hiring preference for park positions, provides for tribal access to sacred sites under existing federal Indian religious freedom laws, places approximately 126 acres of tribal-owned land into federal trust, and authorizes necessary appropriations for implementation. The advisory council will include representatives from the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Georgia's Department of Natural Resources, and the regional commission.

This resolution elects designated Members of the House of Representatives to the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on House Administration.

This House resolution sets the rules for debating two separate bills on the House floor. The first bill, H.R. 471, would streamline environmental reviews and speed up forest management activities on federal lands managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, as well as on tribal lands, with the goal of reducing wildfire risks in overgrown forests. The second bill, S. 5, would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrants who have been charged with theft crimes in the United States. The resolution limits debate time to one hour for each bill and restricts which amendments can be offered during consideration. Both bills would affect federal land management practices and immigration enforcement policies respectively, though the resolution itself does not specify funding amounts or implementation timelines.