Providing for 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 th…
Summary
H. Res. 682 is a resolution providing for the consideration of two bills: H.R. 3838, which authorizes appropriations for military activities of the Department of Defense, military construction, and defense activities of the Department of Energy for fiscal year 2026, and H.R. 3486, which amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for illegal entry and reentry into the United States. The resolution sets the rules for debate and amendment of both bills in the House of Representatives.
Specifically, it waives points of order against the bills, limits debate time, and outlines the amendment process. For H.R. 3838, it specifies which amendments will be considered and how they will be debated. For H.R. 3486, it adopts a modified amendment in the nature of a substitute and sets the parameters for further debate and a motion to recommit.
Expected Effects
The resolution will expedite the consideration of H.R. 3838 and H.R. 3486 in the House by setting specific rules for debate and amendment. This will likely lead to quicker votes on both bills.
The rules established in the resolution limit the scope of amendments and debate, potentially streamlining the legislative process but also restricting opportunities for broader input.
Potential Benefits
- Expedited Consideration: Streamlines the legislative process for national defense and immigration-related bills.
- Focused Debate: Limits debate to specific amendments, potentially leading to more efficient use of House time.
- Structured Amendment Process: Provides clarity on which amendments will be considered and the order in which they will be addressed.
- Waiver of Points of Order: Prevents procedural delays and challenges to the bills' consideration.
- Adoption of Substitute Amendments: Allows for consideration of comprehensive substitutes, potentially improving the bills.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited Debate: Restricts the time available for debate on important issues, potentially hindering thorough consideration.
- Restricted Amendments: Limits the amendments that can be offered, potentially excluding valuable perspectives and alternative solutions.
- Reduced Input: May reduce opportunities for broader input from members of the House and the public.
- Potential for Rushed Decisions: Expedited consideration could lead to rushed decisions without adequate deliberation.
- Waiver of Points of Order: Waiving points of order could bypass important procedural safeguards.
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution primarily concerns the legislative process within the House of Representatives, as authorized by Article I, Section 5, which grants each house the power to determine the rules of its proceedings. The resolution's provisions for considering bills related to national defense and immigration fall under Congress's powers enumerated in Article I, Section 8, including providing for the common defense and establishing rules of naturalization.
The First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech could be implicated if the limitations on debate unduly restrict members' ability to express their views. However, the resolution appears to strike a balance between allowing debate and managing the legislative calendar. The Fifth Amendment's due process clause is relevant to the immigration bill, but the resolution itself does not directly address the substance of those provisions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).