Two Parties No Fun

Catch up on U.S. Congress with 13 new federal laws enacted since September 22, 2026. In this October 18 update, Two Parties No Fun explains what each law changes, who it affects, and what happens next.

Lynn and Cody break down Social Security identity-theft assistance, employee stock ownership and retirement, federal spending oversight, Tribal water infrastructure, tick-borne disease prevention, seafood fraud, and music tourism.

We also examine five pending bills involving college athlete NIL rules, health-care cybersecurity, federal contractor qualifications, energy permitting and data-center electricity costs, congressional stock trading, and proposed federal voter-ID requirements. Each measure’s status is clearly identified.

Straightforward explanations of federal legislation, practical implications, and how to contact Congress to support, oppose, or request changes to a bill.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Congress update: Social Security identity-theft law
01:04 Employee stock ownership and retirement plans
01:52 Federal spending overruns and hydropower licensing
02:59 Crow Tribe and Fort Peck water infrastructure
04:10 Tick and mosquito disease prevention programs
04:50 Seafood fraud enforcement and ocean-access maps
06:00 Music tourism and historic-site legislation
07:09 Miami Tribe treaty and land claim
07:57 Pending bills: college sports NIL and health cybersecurity
09:05 Pending bill: federal contracting and degree requirements
09:42 Pending bills: energy permitting, stock trading, and voter ID
11:10 How to contact Congress and make your voice heard

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your representative or senators. Give your name and town, identify the bill, and state whether you support it, oppose it, or want a specific change.

Legislative status checked October 18, 2026. Covers all 13 verified public laws enacted in this period and five selected pending measures.

Official federal law records
Find your U.S. representative
Contact your U.S. senators

What actually became federal law in 2026?

Lynn and Cody break down all 45 federal enactments from January 1 through September 21: 43 public laws and two private laws. From veterans’ benefits and school milk to housing, government funding, surveillance, disaster relief, and sanctions, we explain what changed, who it affects, and when important provisions take effect.

Clear explanations. No political spin. Just the facts behind the headlines.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Milk, veterans and federal funding
07:07 Military honors, research and FISA
13:45 Housing access and enforcement
21:33 Housing, disasters and sanctions

SOURCES AND BILL DETAILS

National Archives — public laws

National Archives — additional January enactments

Private Law 119-1 — James Capers Jr.

Private Law 119-2 — Nicholas Dockery

Coverage is based on enactment dates through September 21, 2026. Some provisions take effect later.

Follow Two Parties No Fun for more straightforward conversations about what Congress actually does.

What actually became federal law in 2026?

Lynn and Cody break down all 45 federal enactments from January 1 through September 21: 43 public laws and two private laws. From veterans’ benefits and school milk to housing, government funding, surveillance, disaster relief, and sanctions, we explain what changed, who it affects, and when important provisions take effect.

Clear explanations. No political spin. Just the facts behind the headlines.

National Archives — public laws

National Archives — additional January enactments

Private Law 119-1 — James Capers Jr.

Private Law 119-2 — Nicholas Dockery

Coverage is based on enactment dates through September 21, 2026. Some provisions take effect later.

Follow Two Parties No Fun for more straightforward conversations about what Congress actually does.

What actually became federal law in 2026?

Lynn and Cody break down all 45 federal enactments from January 1 through September 21: 43 public laws and two private laws. From veterans’ benefits and school milk to housing, government funding, surveillance, disaster relief, and sanctions, we explain what changed, who it affects, and when important provisions take effect.

Clear explanations. No political spin. Just the facts behind the headlines.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Milk, veterans and federal funding
07:07 Military honors, research and FISA
13:45 Housing access and enforcement
21:33 Housing, disasters and sanctions

SOURCES AND BILL DETAILS

National Archives — public laws

National Archives — additional January enactments

Private Law 119-1 — James Capers Jr.

Private Law 119-2 — Nicholas Dockery

Coverage is based on enactment dates through September 21, 2026. Some provisions take effect later.

Follow Two Parties No Fun for more straightforward conversations about what Congress actually does.

🎙️ On today’s Capital Clarity, Lynn and Cody break down a pivotal day in Congress. 🏛️ In the Senate, lawmakers continued debate on the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act while cementing a new precedent: cloture on bundled nominations now requires only a simple majority, clearing the way for faster confirmation of dozens of executive, diplomatic, and regulatory posts. Committees advanced nominees for NOAA, FERC, State Department, and federal courts, and held oversight on the Army Corps, CDC policy, and veterans’ spinal care. Over in the House, members passed the D.C. Judicial Nominations Reform Act, the D.C. Policing Protection Act, and a measure modernizing VA benefits communications, while panels tackled student outcomes, healthcare bills, tax policy, small business, infrastructure, and FBI oversight. With appropriations and national security still center stage, Congress pressed forward on nominations, defense, and district policy. ⚡ No spin, no fluff—just the essentials from Capitol Hill.

🎙️ On today’s Capital Clarity, Lynn and Cody unpack major procedural and policy moves in Congress. 🏛️ In the Senate, lawmakers set a new precedent making cloture on bundled nominations a simple majority vote, speeding up confirmations for dozens of mid-level executive, diplomatic, and regulatory posts. Debate on the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act continued, with amendments on casualty assistance, enactment dates, and oversight still pending. Committees advanced nominees for the Federal Reserve, NOAA, FERC, State Department, and more, while hearings covered topics from tribal self-determination to veterans’ spinal cord care. Over in the House, members passed bills reshaping judicial nominations and policing standards in the District of Columbia, along with a measure to modernize veterans’ benefits communications. Committees pushed forward on health, education, infrastructure, tax, and foreign policy, while the Helsinki Commission spotlighted conspiracy theories and democratic decline. ⚡ No spin, no fluff—just the essentials from Capitol Hill.

🎙️ On today’s Capital Clarity, Lynn and Cody recap a day of defense debates and high-profile floor action. 🏛️ In the Senate, lawmakers kept working through the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, introduced new measures, and rejected motions to proceed on both an EPA rule disapproval and a budget resolution. Committees drilled into FBI oversight and the risks of AI chatbots, while the Intelligence panel met behind closed doors. Over in the House, members passed a bipartisan veterans headstone bill and two public safety measures for the District of Columbia, while the Rules Committee advanced a continuing appropriations plan and a resolution honoring Charlie Kirk. With appropriations, oversight hearings, and contentious debates in full swing, Congress kept momentum heading into the fall. ⚡ No spin, no fluff—just straightforward updates from Capitol Hill.

🎙️ On today’s Capital Clarity, Lynn and Cody break down a pivotal start to the week in Congress. 🏛️ The Senate adopted a new rule allowing bundled votes on executive nominations, confirmed Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve Board, and teed up more debate on the National Defense Authorization Act. Over in the House, members passed bipartisan measures under suspension — from veterans’ telehealth and water system oversight to courthouse efficiency and honoring the 1980 Olympic hockey team — while tabling a discharge effort on a recent national emergency. The Rules Committee set the stage for votes on D.C. crime and energy bills, and a packed committee calendar covers everything from AI in veterans’ care to tax protections against identity theft. ⚡ No spin, no fluff—just clear updates from Capitol Hill.

🎙️ On today’s Capital Clarity, Lynn and Cody cover a week of precedent-setting moves in Congress. 🏛️ In the Senate, lawmakers established a new simple-majority standard for cloture on bundled nominations, advanced that resolution, continued debate on the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, and reported nominees for the Federal Reserve, courts, embassies, and regulatory posts. Committees also pressed on retirement policy, land use, energy, and military leadership. Over in the House, members passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act, rejected instructions on the Military Construction–VA spending bill, filed reports on energy and student-athlete measures, and appointed conferees and members to a January 6 subcommittee. With defense, immigration, and appropriations in play, Congress set the table for next week’s debates. ⚡ No spin, no fluff—just the essentials from Capitol Hill.

🎙️ On today’s Capital Clarity, Lynn and Cody walk through another jam-packed NDAA day on Capitol Hill. 🏛️ In the Senate, lawmakers tabled Majority Leader Schumer’s “Epstein Files Transparency” amendment 51–49, advanced multiple bipartisan science and public safety measures, and confirmed key nominees while returning a slate of ambassadorial and senior executive nominations to committee. Over in the House, members adopted the rule for the defense bill, began debate on H.R. 3838, and moved through wide-ranging en bloc amendment packages spanning cyber, personnel, industrial base, and international security. With appropriations conferences, committee markups, and a next-day cloture vote on nominations procedures, Congress is sprinting through NDAA week. ⚡ No spin, no fluff—just clear and direct updates from Capitol Hill.