The U.S. House of Representatives voted on a series of measures last week, including small business programs, natural resources policy, immigration enforcement and a constitutional amendment. Baldwin County is represented in the 1st Congressional District by Republican Barry Moore.

H.R. 4294 — Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act of 2026

Action: House passed the bill under suspension of the rules March 17 by a 320-66 vote. Roll call vote No. 88. The bill establishes a NOAA pilot program to purchase invasive blue catfish from Chesapeake Bay watermen and support related industries.

Vote on passage: Moore — Nay

Alabama delegation: 4 yea, 2 nay, 1 not voting

S. 3971 — Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

Action: House passed the bill under suspension of the rules March 17 by a 345-41 vote. Roll call vote No. 89. The bill reauthorizes and modifies federal small business research and technology programs through 2031 and adds security screening requirements.

Vote on passage: Moore — Nay

Alabama delegation: 5 yea, 1 nay, 1 not voting

H. Res. 1115 — Rule for consideration of multiple bills

Action: House agreed to the resolution March 17 by a 196-193 vote after approving the previous question by a 196-192 vote. Roll call votes No. 90 and 91. The rule set terms for debate on several measures, including bills on hunting access, immigration enforcement and animal protection.

Vote on ordering the previous question: Moore — Yea

Alabama delegation: 4 yea, 2 nay, 1 not voting

Vote on agreeing to the resolution: Moore — Aye

Alabama delegation: 4 aye, 2 no, 1 not voting

H.R. 556 — Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025

Action: House rejected a motion to recommit March 18 by a 206-209 vote and later passed the bill by a 215-202 vote. Roll call votes No. 92 and 93. The bill restricts federal agencies from limiting the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on public lands, with exceptions tied to wildlife declines.

Vote on motion to recommit: Moore — Nay

Alabama delegation: 2 yea, 5 nay

Vote on passage: Moore — Aye

Alabama delegation: 5 aye, 2 no

H.R. 1958 — Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026

Action: House passed the bill March 18 by a 231-186 vote. Roll call vote No. 94. The bill makes certain public benefits fraud offenses grounds for inadmissibility or deportation and bars related immigration relief.

Vote on passage: Moore — Yea

Alabama delegation: 5 yea, 2 nay

H.J. Res. 139 — Balanced Budget Amendment

Action: House failed to pass the joint resolution under suspension of the rules March 18 by a 211-207 vote, short of the required two-thirds majority. Roll call vote No. 95. The measure proposed a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget with limited exceptions.

Vote on passage: Moore — Yea

Alabama delegation: 5 yea, 2 nay

H.R. 4638 — Federal Working Animal Protection Act

Action: House passed the bill March 19 by a 228-190 vote. Roll call vote No. 96. The bill makes noncitizens who harm law enforcement animals inadmissible and subject to deportation.

Vote on passage: Moore — Yea

Alabama delegation: 5 yea, 2 nay

Information is sourced from www.congress.gov.

U.S. SENATE

The Senate voted on nominations, appropriations, foreign policy and election-related legislation, including multiple procedural votes on a House-passed elections bill. Alabama is represented in the Senate by Republicans Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville.

PN787-4 — Anna St. John nomination

Action: Senate invoked cloture March 17 by a 48-45 vote and confirmed the nomination March 17 by a 51-45 vote. Roll call votes No. 55 and 56. The nomination is for U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Vote on cloture: Britt — Yea; Tuberville — Yea

Vote on confirmation: Britt — Yea; Tuberville — Yea

S. 1383 — Motion to proceed (SAVE America Act)

Action: Senate agreed to a motion to proceed March 17 by a 51-48 vote. Roll call vote No. 57. The motion allowed consideration of the House-passed SAVE America Act, which would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and photo identification to vote in federal elections. The bill also sets procedures for verifying voter eligibility, removing noncitizens from voter rolls and casting provisional ballots when identification is unavailable.

Vote on motion to proceed: Britt — Yea; Tuberville — Yea

S.J. Res. 118 — Iran war powers resolution

Action: Senate rejected a motion to discharge the measure from committee March 18 by a 47-53 vote. Roll call vote No. 58. The resolution sought to require congressional authorization for U.S. military involvement in hostilities against Iran.

Vote on motion to discharge: Britt — Nay; Tuberville — Nay

H.R. 7147 — Homeland Security appropriations

Action: Senate failed to invoke cloture on a motion to proceed March 20 by a 47-37 vote. Roll call vote No. 59. The bill provides fiscal 2026 funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Vote on cloture: Britt — Not voting; Tuberville — Not voting

S. 1383 — Cloture on amendment

Action: Senate failed to invoke cloture on an amendment March 21 by a 49-41 vote. Roll call vote No. 60. The amendment, offered in connection with the House-passed SAVE America Act, sought to address policies related to participation in athletics. The underlying legislation would require proof of U.S. citizenship and photo identification for voting in federal elections.

Vote on cloture: Britt — Yea; Tuberville — Yea

S. 1383 — Cloture on motion to proceed

Action: Senate failed to invoke cloture March 21 by a 41-49 vote. Roll call vote No. 61. The vote blocked further consideration of a motion to advance the House-passed SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and photo identification for federal elections, along with additional voter verification requirements.

Vote on cloture: Britt — Nay; Tuberville — Nay

Information is sourced from www.Senate.gov.

In the Alabama Legislature, no new bills were enacted and signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey last week.