This episode of Congress in Context explores a high-stakes legislative day dominated by the passage of the Housing for the 21st Century Act, a major bipartisan effort to tackle the national housing crisis by streamlining approvals and empowering community banks. As the nation nears its 250th anniversary, the House also authorized the creation of a Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule and the minting of commemorative $2.50 coins to honor the American experiment. These celebratory milestones contrast with intense friction in the Senate, where leaders remain deadlocked over Department of Homeland Security funding and the SAVE America Act, reflecting deep partisan divides over immigration enforcement and election integrity. Additionally, the session reinforces U.S. foreign policy through the PROTECT Taiwan Act and the BRAVE Burma Act, underscoring a legislative agenda that balances domestic infrastructure with global stability.

Congressional Record Analysis of the following dates:

February 9, 2026

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

Bills

S. 3705: Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

• H.R. 5616: $2.50 for America’s 250th Act

• H.R. 6644: Housing for the 21st Century Act

• H.R. 3682: FSOC Improvement Act

• H.R. 3390: Discount Window Modernization Act

• H.R. 1531: PROTECT Taiwan Act

• H.R. 3190: BRAVE Burma Act

• H.R. 7147: Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026

• S. 1383: SAVE America Act

• H.R. 2189: Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act

• H.R. 261: Undersea Cable Protection Act

• H.R. 3617: Critical Minerals Supply Act

• S. 3424: Bankruptcy Trustee Compensation Act

• H.R. 1834: Policy Gridlock Breakthrough Act

• H.R. 6500: African Growth and Opportunity Act Extension

• S. 3805: Immigration Law Enforcement Obstruction Act

• H.R. 2294: Ocean Observation System Reauthorization

• H.R. 5077: CDBG Affordable Housing Construction Act

• H.R. 6774: FHA Small-Dollar Mortgage Pilot Act

• H.R. 6773: Unused Land Database Publication Act

• H.R. 4544: CDFIs and MDIs Formation Act

• H.R. 4551: Employee Paycheck and Small Business Protection Act

• (Unnumbered): No Funds for Forced Labor Act

• (Unnumbered): Working Families Tax Cut Act