Monday, March 16, 2026

WHITE HOUSE

• The Trump administration is pressing allies to help reopen and secure the Strait of Hormuz as Iran continues to disrupt one of the world’s most important oil shipping lanes. The response so far has been cautious. With oil hovering around $105 a barrel, the U.S. is trying to prevent a longer energy and security crisis, while countries like the U.K., China, Japan, and others have stopped short of committing naval support.
• Multiple Pentagon officials are scheduled to testify before both the House and Senate Armed Services committees. U.S. Marine Corps General Francis Donovan, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, will testify before the House committee on Tuesday and the Senate committee Thursday. U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of the U.S. European Command and NATO’s supreme allied commander, and Daniel Zimmerman, the Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs, will testify before the House Armed Services panel Wednesday. Questions from lawmakers are expected to range from the Iran war, availability of resources for other priorities such as Ukraine and Europe, as well as questions regarding Cubaand Venezuela.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is no longer formally serving as acting IRS commissioner after reaching the 210-day limit under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The IRS said he will continue to exercise oversight over the agency in his capacity as Treasury secretary until a new commissioner is appointed.

SENATE

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is expected to begin debate on the SAVE America Act, a bill to require additional documentation to register to vote, as soon as Tuesday. Consideration of the bill is expected to take up the majority of floor time this week. The bill is unlikely to clear the 60-vote threshold needed to move forward.
• Lawmakers will continue their attempt to strike a deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the partial shutdown continues. Absences of Transportation Security Administration employees, working without pay, have more than doubled. Talks remain stalled over immigration enforcement policy with no end in sight.
• Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), President Trump’s pick to lead DHS, will testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday. If passed out of committee, his nomination would make its way to the Senate floor in time for him to take office at the end of the month. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, has the authority to appoint a replacement to serve out Mullin’s Senate term, but that person would be prohibited from running for a full term in November. Republican Representative Kevin Hern has already declared his candidacy for the full term.

HOUSE

• The House Intelligence Committee will hold its annual worldwide threats assessment hearing this week, bringing together Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, FBI Director Kash Patel, and senior military officials to testify on the most significant national security threats facing the United States. The hearing is expected to focus on cybersecurity, global conflict, and other major risks outlined by the intelligence community.
• House Republicans and the White House have begun early discussions on a supplemental funding package tied to the Iran war, but any formal request is still likely weeks away. The bill may become one of the last major legislative vehicles of the year and lawmakers are eyeing it as a place to attach other priorities.
• The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is no longer planning to take up the ALERT Act (H.R. 7613), the House version of an air safety bill, this week. The delay comes after concerns the bill is not sufficient as it does not fully adopt the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendations issued after its investigation into the deadly January 2025 mid-air collision at Reagan National Airport.