Legislative Calls to Action -- May 20, 2026

Housing for the 21st Century Act

This bill revises federal housing programs, including by expanding available financing for affordable housing and providing grants for planning and community development activities. For example, the bill increases the statutory maximum loan limits for mortgage insurance programs administered by the Federal Housing Administration for multifamily homes and requires the use of a more specific inflation index for such loans. The bill also increases the maximum eligible income for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) HOME Investment Partnerships Program (grants to states and localities to support housing for low-income households) and establishes a grant program to assist regional, state, and local entities with strategies to support affordable housing. 

In addition, the bill:

• exempts certain housing-related activities from the environmental review process, including certain construction, improvement, or rehabilitation of residential buildings;

• excludes veterans' disability benefits from being considered as income for purposes of determining eligibility for the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program;

• establishes a pilot program to provide grants to public housing agencies (PHAs) and other owners of federally assisted housing to test the efficacy of temperature sensors to support compliance with temperature requirements;

• eliminates the requirement that manufactured homes must be constructed with a permanent chassis; and

• authorizes HUD to conduct performance reviews of organizations that provide housing counseling services.

The bill also expands oversight of HUD and PHAs, such as by requiring PHAs to post information about contracts on their websites. H.R.6644 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

HR 7432 Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act

This bill expands states' permissible uses of federal funds under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee program) to include supportive housing services.

The Chafee program is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Children's Bureau and provides funding to support youth and young adults who are in, or were formerly in, foster care with their transition to adulthood. The program is funded through formula grants awarded to child welfare agencies in states, certain territories, and participating tribes.

The bill allows states to use such funds to provide supportive services (e.g., financial counseling) for youth up to the age of 26 who are seeking to obtain or retain housing and who have experienced foster care and receive assistance under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 Family Unification Program.

Additionally, HHS and HUD must jointly develop and issue guidance to state public child welfare agencies and public housing authorities to improve alignment and coordination of housing supportive services. H.R.7432 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

House Concurrent Resolution 86

Introduced in House (04/20/2026)

This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.

Elements of the U.S. Armed Forces needed to defend the United States, an ally, or a partner from imminent attack are not covered by this requirement provided the President complies with a specified provision of the War Powers Resolution. (The provision generally requires the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities no more than 60 days after the President notifies or is required to notify Congress of such involvement, unless Congress authorizes such use. For more information on the War Powers Resolution, see CRS In Focus 13134. Understanding the War Powers Resolution | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Senate Continuing Resolution 33

This week, Congress moved closer to advancing legislation that would add about $70 billion in funding to immigration enforcement agencies through 2029, which is in addition to the $170 billion already provided last year. If enacted, the proposal would mark yet another circumvention of the regular government funding process—which requires bipartisan negotiations—to fund these agencies.

This funding is being pursued through the reconciliation process, which bypasses the 60-vote threshold needed in the Senate to overcome a filibuster. For the second time, congressional leaders aim to use reconciliation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and its subagencies, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Since February 14, Democrats have refused to fund ICE and CBP demanding reforms to enforcement policies and practices, including stronger warrant requirements and professional law enforcement standards, in an attempt to rein in aggressive conduct that has resulted in multiple deaths, including of U.S. citizens. Those efforts have failed so far.

The result is a proposal that could fund ICE and CBP for years to come, with no meaningful congressional oversight. All of this funding would be available to the agencies through the end of fiscal year 2029. To learn more - Senate Pushes Ahead with $70 Billion More for ICE and CBP, Excluding Accountability Measures - American Immigration Council

Veterans affairs

Many bills related for veterans are to be heard in the House this week.

• H.R. 785 – Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025 (Rep. Kiggans)

• H.R. 3482 – Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act (Rep. Barrett)

• H.R. 3726 – Fisher House Availability Act of 2025 (Rep. Miller-Meeks)

• S. 2393 – FY2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act (Sen. Moran)

• H.R. 2954 – Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act of 2025 (Rep. Pappas) (Congress.gov)

Blatant Corruption

Anti-Weaponization Fund

The deal, laid out in a two-page legal document signed by acting attorney general Todd Blanche and a Justice Department news release, creates what officials described as an “Anti-Weaponization Fund” with broad authority to distribute payments to individuals outside of the normal processes for negotiating legal claims against the government.

The effort marks the latest, and by far the most sweeping tool, the president has employed that could financially reward supporters and political allies he asserts have been wronged. The $1,776,000,000 sum is a nod to the year of the nation’s founding.

The fund could result in payouts to Trump allies and other conservatives who claim they were victims of a “weaponized” justice system under President Joe Biden, including the nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump’s deal to drop suit against IRS creates $1.8B ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ - The Washington Post

UPDATE: The Justice Department quietly expanded its settlement with Donald Trump to include a sweeping protection against future IRS scrutiny. A newly posted addendum, signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, states the IRS is “forever barred and precluded” from pursuing audits or tax examinations involving Trump, his family, related individuals, trusts, or businesses for returns filed before the settlement date. Former IRS officials called the move unprecedented and warned it could shield Trump from accountability over potentially unpaid taxes. The provision was not included in the original settlement announcement, raising questions about how and why it was added later. (Aaron Parnas)

Contact your Senators and Representative:

• U.S. Senate: Contacting U.S. Senators

• Find Your Representative | house.gov