High-Profile Actions
The House passed the "Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025" (H.R. 1968) by a narrow margin of 217-213, funding the government through September 30. The House also passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 25) disapproving an IRS rule on digital asset sales reporting with strong bipartisan support (292-132).
In the Senate, members passed the "Justice for Murder Victims Act" (S. 960), eliminating time limitations for federal homicide prosecutions, and continued consideration of the "Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act" (S. 331).
Government Efficiency Initiatives
Several committees focused on improving government operations:
The House Oversight Committee held a hearing on preventing improper payments rather than just recovering them after the fact, with testimony from the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee on strategies to reduce fraud.
Veterans Affairs committees in both chambers considered numerous efficiency improvements, including S. 607 to establish integrated project teams for appointment scheduling and S. 831 to improve VA telephone systems.
The House Homeland Security Subcommittee examined cyber regulatory harmonization to reduce duplicative requirements while maintaining security standards.
Concerning Inefficiency Trends
Some actions raised concerns about government bloat and inefficiency:
H.R. 1968 continues the pattern of funding by continuing resolution rather than through the regular appropriations process, limiting meaningful budget review.
The Senate introduced 48 new bills and the House introduced 69, many creating new programs without consolidating existing ones, such as S. 433 establishing a National Manufacturing Advisory Council.
The House Oversight Subcommittee heard testimony about ongoing waste and management problems at DHS, highlighting persistent operational inefficiencies despite years of reform efforts.
Steven Bradbury was confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Transportation by a vote of 51-46, while several other nominations advanced, including candidates for Federal Housing Finance Agency, Commerce Department, and Labor Department positions.
The House will break for district time until March 23rd.
