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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we examine H.R. 22, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. This bill seeks to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Introduced by Rep. Chip Roy and backed by dozens of co-sponsors, the bill would standardize the types of identification accepted across states—from passports to military records—and impose new requirements on DMV and mail-in registration systems.

Join Brian Barnes along with our AI hosts Avery and Iris as they break down what the bill proposes, why it’s gaining traction, and what it means for the balance between voter access and election integrity. Supporters call it a necessary safeguard; critics argue it’s a solution in search of a problem. Either way, it represents a significant shift in how the federal government may regulate voter eligibility.

We’ll also touch on how the bill interfaces with provisional ballots, exceptions for individuals lacking documents, and the state-federal power dynamic when it comes to voter rolls.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we tackle one of the most quietly explosive bills moving through Congress right now: H.R. 1526 – The No Rogue Rulings Act of 2025.

This bill would strip federal district courts of the power to issue nationwide injunctions—even when a federal law or executive action is ruled unconstitutional. Instead, sweeping relief would be restricted to rare cases involving multiple states and a randomly selected three-judge panel.

Supporters call it a necessary check on so-called “judicial activism.” Opponents warn it’s a direct assault on judicial independence, engineered to shield executive overreach from meaningful court intervention.

Brian Barnes is joined by AI co-hosts Avery and Iris to break down what this bill actually does, what’s buried in the Judiciary Committee’s report, and why this quiet procedural shift could reshape the balance of power in America.

We’ll dig into the legal mechanics, the political motivations, and the historical echoes—because when courts lose the power to protect everyone, democracy takes a hit.

This isn’t just a legal technicality. It’s a constitutional alarm bell.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we examine H.J. Res. 25, a joint resolution that seeks to nullify an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule requiring brokers to report gross proceeds from digital asset sales. This resolution, introduced under the Congressional Review Act, reflects growing concerns over federal regulation of cryptocurrency markets and the potential overreach of financial reporting requirements.

Join Brian Barnes along with our AI hosts Avery and Iris as they unpack the implications of this legislative effort. Supporters argue that the IRS rule imposes excessive burdens on the digital asset industry and stifles innovation, while opponents contend that stricter reporting requirements are necessary to prevent tax evasion and financial crime. What does this congressional pushback mean for the future of crypto regulation? And how does it fit into the broader debate over government oversight in financial markets?

Tune in for an insightful discussion on this high-stakes resolution and its potential impact on the crypto economy and regulatory landscape.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we break down H.R. 1515, the Guidance Out Of Darkness (GOOD) Act. This bipartisan bill seeks to increase transparency by requiring federal agencies to make all guidance documents publicly available in a single online location. The act aims to ensure that policies, interpretations, and regulatory guidelines—often buried deep within agency websites—are easily accessible to the public, businesses, and lawmakers.

Join Brian Barnes along with our AI hosts Avery and Iris as they explore the implications of this legislation. Is this a step toward more accountable government and public access to important regulatory information? Or does it risk bureaucratic overload and information mismanagement? We discuss how the GOOD Act fits into broader transparency efforts and what it could mean for government accountability in the digital age.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we break down H.R. 77, the Midnight Rules Relief Act. This bill seeks to amend the Congressional Review Act by allowing Congress to overturn multiple federal regulations issued in the final year of a president’s term through a single resolution of disapproval. Proponents argue that this measure enhances congressional oversight by preventing last-minute executive rulemaking from bypassing legislative scrutiny. Critics, however, warn that it could lead to sweeping rollbacks of vital regulations without individual review.

Join Brian Barnes along with our AI hosts Avery and Iris as they analyze the potential consequences of this bill, discussing how it impacts the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress. Does H.R. 77 ensure accountability, or does it risk legislative overreach? Tune in for a deep dive into the mechanics of midnight rulemaking and how this proposed law could reshape regulatory oversight.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we analyze three important bills impacting Native American and Alaska Native communities, each dealing with land ownership, self-governance, and economic security.

• H.R. 226, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act, transfers federal lands in Tennessee to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, recognizing their historical significance and ensuring tribal stewardship of sacred sites.

• H.R. 43, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act, addresses long-standing disputes over municipal land ownership by allowing Alaska Native Village Corporations to reclaim lands previously transferred to the state in trust, ensuring these lands remain under Native control.

• H.R. 42, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act, prevents certain trust payments to aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives from affecting their eligibility for federal benefits, providing a critical safeguard for some of the most vulnerable members of these communities.

Join Brian Barnes along with AI hosts, Avery and Iris, as they break down these bills, exploring their legal, cultural, and economic implications. How do these legislative efforts reflect the ongoing balance between federal oversight and tribal sovereignty? And what do they signal about the evolving landscape of Native American self-determination?

Tune in to understand the policy shifts at play and their impact on Indigenous communities across the U.S.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we analyze H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act, the only bill currently scheduled for legislative action next week. This bill aims to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, strengthening law enforcement’s ability to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. It also includes provisions to streamline research into fentanyl analogs for medical and scientific purposes.

But there’s more to the story. With no legislative action scheduled this week and a recent flurry of executive orders, what does it mean that this is the only bill on the congressional agenda? Join Brian Barnes and our AI hosts, Avery and Iris, as they break down the implications for the balance of power between Congress and the executive branch. Is this a sign of a stalled legislative process, or a strategic move to prioritize urgent public safety concerns?

Tune in as we unpack the policy, politics, and power dynamics behind the HALT Fentanyl Act and what it tells us about the current state of lawmaking in Washington.

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Season 2 is here with the 119th Congress!!!

In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we examine The Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at tightening immigration enforcement in cases involving theft-related crimes. The proposed legislation mandates the Department of Homeland Security to detain non-citizens charged with burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting in the United States. It also grants state attorneys general the authority to take legal action against federal agencies for non-compliance with detention requirements, marking a significant shift in the interplay between state and federal oversight of immigration policies.

Join Brian Barnes along with AI hosts Avery and Iris as they break down the provisions of this act, exploring its potential impact on law enforcement, state-federal dynamics, and the broader immigration debate. This episode unpacks how this legislation seeks to balance public safety concerns with the complexities of immigration reform.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we explore H.R. 115, the Midnight Rules Relief Act. This legislation seeks to amend the Congressional Review Act to allow Congress to pass joint resolutions disapproving multiple agency regulations issued during the final year of a presidential term. By enabling en bloc consideration of such rules, the bill aims to streamline oversight and provide Congress with a stronger mechanism to counteract what it deems overreach in executive rulemaking.

Join Brian Barnes & our AI hosts, Avery and Iris as theydelve into the implications of this proposed legislation, discussing how it could impact the balance of power between Congress and federal agencies, the efficiency of government oversight, and the potential risks of curbing regulatory processes. Join us as we break down this contentious bill and its broader significance in the context of administrative law and separation of powers.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we navigate through S. 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024. This comprehensive bill addresses critical issues in water resource management, from improving the nation’s rivers and harbors to enhancing stormwater management and tackling invasive aquatic species. The legislation also focuses on flood risk mitigation, coastal restoration, and drought resilience, emphasizing both economic and environmental benefits.

Join Brian Barnes & our AI hosts, Avery and Iris as they unpack the key provisions of this transformative legislation, highlighting its potential impact on infrastructure, public safety, and environmental conservation. Learn how the act seeks to modernize water resource projects and support underserved communities while addressing challenges like climate change and resource sustainability.

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