In this episode of "Congress in Context," we analyze the high-stakes legislative battles occurring on March 5, 2026. The central focus is a partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has left agencies like the TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard operating at limited capacity. We examine the deep partisan divide as Republicans demand immediate funding to secure the borders and pay federal workers, while Democrats refuse to "cut a blank check" for ICE and Border Patrol without comprehensive accountability reforms following recent deaths and allegations of "marauding" federal agents.

Congressional Record Analysis of the following dates:

March 5, 2026

https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/browse-by-date

Bills

• H.R. 7744: The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, which seeks to fund DHS agencies like the TSA and FEMA during a partial government shutdown.
• H.R. 7567: The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (or "Farm Bill 2.0"), providing a five-year framework for agricultural stability and national food security.
• H.R. 6644: The Housing for the 21st Century Act, a bipartisan package intended to increase the national housing supply and cut regulatory red tape.
• S. 836: The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), which updates laws to prohibit targeted advertising and excessive data collection for minors.
• S. 2074: The Servicemembers’ Credit Monitoring Enhancement Act, expanding credit monitoring protections to all members of the armed forces regardless of duty status.
• S. 4007: The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act, designed to lower food costs by reducing corporate monopolies in the meatpacking industry.
• H.R. 7147: A bill making further consolidated appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year.
• H.R. 7836: Legislation to establish United States Immigration Courts as courts of record under Article I of the Constitution.
• H.R. 7814: A bill to create an independent commission for oversight and transparency regarding the Department of Justice’s handling of the "Epstein Files".
• H.R. 7857: An act to impose sanctions on foreign persons linked to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking enterprise.
• H.R. 7816: A bill to reform FISA and prevent law enforcement from obtaining certain commercially available information without a warrant.
• S. 723: An act requiring the Bureau of Indian Affairs to complete mortgage packages on Indian land within specific deadlines.