Search and Ask VFA

108 results for “war powers”

1. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade B (Mostly sound) · Oct 10, 2026

   H.Res. 682: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3838) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3486) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for individuals who illegally enter and reenter the United States after being removed, and for other purposes.

   …immigration bill's increased penalties for illegal entry and reentry warrant scrutiny under the Eighth Amendment and due process. The resolution is a routine exercise of congressional rulemaking authority under Article I, Section 5, Clause…

2. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade D (Likely unconstitutional) · Oct 10, 2026

   H.Res. 1175: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8035) to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through October 20, 2027, and for other purposes.

   This resolution extends warrantless surveillance authorities under FISA Title VII, which implicates serious Fourth Amendment concerns and consolidates federal surveillance power without adequate due process safeguards. The extension of…

3. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade B (Mostly sound) · Oct 10, 2026

   H.Res. 1057: Providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1383) to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2189) to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 261) to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3617) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials, and for other purposes; and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to conside

   …the potential for the firearms bill to restrict Second Amendment rights warrants a 'B' grade, as the final outcome depends on the underlying legislation. The resolution is a procedural measure under Article I, Section 5, Clause 2, which…

4. Bill (official record) · H.R. 8435 · 119th Congress · Congress · Apr 22, 2026

   H.R. 8435: War Powers Priority Procedures Modernization Act

   Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the…

5. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 09, 2026

   H.Res. 951: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4776) to amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to clarify ambiguous provisions and facilitate a more efficient, effective, and timely environmental review process; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1366) to provide for the location of multiple hardrock mining mill sites, to establish the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 845) to require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3616) to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review regulations that may affect the reliable operation of the bulk-power system; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3632) to amend the Federal Power Act to adjust the requirements for orders, rules, and regulations relat

   H.Res. 951 is a special rule of the House that sets terms for considering six bills. It is an exercise of the House's express constitutional authority to determine its own proceedings and does not enact any substantive policy by itself. It…

6. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade C (Significant issues) · Oct 10, 2026

   H.Res. 707: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4922) to limit youth offender status in the District of Columbia to individuals 18 years of age or younger, to direct the Attorney General of the District of Columbia to establish and operate a publicly accessible website containing updated statistics on juvenile crime in the District of Columbia, to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to prohibit the Council of the District of Columbia from enacting changes to existing criminal liability sentences, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5143) to establish standards for law enforcement officers in the District of Columbia to engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5140) to lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5125) to amend the

   …the underlying bills include provisions that exceed federal enumerated powers. For example, H.R. 4922 and H.R. 5125 seek to amend the D.C. Home Rule Act to restrict the D.C. Council's authority over criminal sentencing and to terminate the…

7. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade B (Mostly sound) · Oct 10, 2026

   H.Res. 211: Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 25) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to ‘‘Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales’’; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1156) to amend the CARES Act to extend the statute of limitations for fraud under certain unemployment programs, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1968) making further continuing appropriations and other extensions for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

   …authority. Overall, the resolution is within Congress's enumerated powers and does not infringe on individual rights, but the waiver of points of order and limitation on amendments present minor due process concerns. The resolution is a…

8. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade B (Mostly sound) · Oct 10, 2026

   H.Res. 988: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2988) to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to specify requirements concerning the consideration of pecuniary and non-pecuniary factors, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2262) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude certain activities from hours worked, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2270) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude child and dependent care services and payments from the rate used to compute overtime compensation; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2312) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise the definition of the term ''tipped employee'', and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4366) to clarify the treatment of 2 or more employers as joint employers under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of

   …on labor and retirement law. The resolution is within Congress's enumerated powers to structure its own proceedings, and the underlying bills fall within Congress's commerce power. However, the resolution's effect on the legislative…

9. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 11, 2026

   H.Res. 1596: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 9899) to designate Afghanistan under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit nationals of Afghanistan to be eligible for temporary protected status under such section, and for other purposes.

   …proceedings under Article I, Section 5, Clause 2. No overreach of enumerated powers is present. The resolution does not infringe any provision of the Bill of Rights. It is a procedural rule that does not affect speech, religion, assembly,…

10. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 10, 2026

    H.Res. 161: Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 20) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to ‘‘Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters’’; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 35) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ‘‘Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions’’; and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

    This resolution is a procedural rule governing floor consideration of three measures. It does not itself enact substantive policy, but merely sets the terms for debate and amendment. The Constitution grants each house of Congress the…

11. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 10, 2026

    H.Res. 672: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4553) making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 104) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to ‘‘Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment’’; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 105) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to ‘‘North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan’’; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 106) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of

    …procedural authority. The underlying bills are within Congress's enumerated powers (appropriations under Article I, Section 8, Clause 1, and disapproval of agency rules under the Congressional Review Act, which is a valid exercise of…

12. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 13, 2026

    H.Res. 102: Providing amounts for the expenses of the Committee on Homeland Security in the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress.

    …make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution its enumerated powers. Funding a standing committee's expenses is a necessary incident of Congress's legislative function and its power to appropriate funds under Article I,…

13. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 09, 2026

    H.Res. 1131: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8029) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1128) expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5103) to establish a program to Beautify the District of Columbia and establish the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7084) to amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the types of vessels that may enter or operate in navigable waters of the United States or transfer cargo in any port or place under the jurisdiction of the United States, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

    …money, or regulate private conduct, so it does not run afoul of enumerated-powers limits or the Bill of Rights. Nothing in the resolution takes property, deprives anyone of due process, or restricts individual sovereignty. It is a routine…

14. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade F (Direct violation) · Oct 13, 2026

    H.Res. 539: Censuring Representative LaMonica McIver and removing her from the Committee on Homeland Security.

    …First Amendment's Speech and Debate Clause and the principle of separation of powers. The Constitution grants each chamber of Congress the sole authority to discipline its own members, but the punishment of censure and committee removal…

15. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 09, 2026

    H.Res. 977: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4593) to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise the definition of showerhead; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5184) to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy efficiency standards applicable to manufactured housing, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6938) making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

    …I, Section 5, Clause 2. The underlying bills fall within Congress's enumerated powers over interstate commerce and federal appropriations. Nothing in the resolution restricts individual rights, violates due process, or improperly…

16. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 10, 2026

    H.Res. 426: Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 13) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the Department of the Treasury relating to the review of applications under the Bank Merger Act; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 31) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act"; and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules.

    …the Congressional Review Act, which is an exercise of Congress's legislative powers under Article I, Section 1 and the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18). The resolution does not affect speech, religion,…

17. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 09, 2026

    H.Res. 1115: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 556) to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1958) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify that aliens who have been convicted of defrauding the United States Government or the unlawful receipt of public benefits are inadmissible and deportable; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4638) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes; and relating to consideration of motions to suspend the rules.

    This House resolution is a procedural special rule governing floor consideration of three bills. It does not enact substantive law, restrict any individual right, or transfer governmental power. Under Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the…

18. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 08, 2026

    H.Res. 1336: Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules.

    House Resolution 1336 is an internal procedural waiver allowing same-day consideration of specified Rules Committee reports. Under Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 each House may set its own rules. It restricts no rights, takes no property,…

19. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade B (Mostly sound) · Oct 10, 2026

    H.Res. 489: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 884) to prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2056) to require the District of Columbia to comply with federal immigration laws; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2096) to restore the right to negotiate matters pertaining to the discipline of law enforcement officers of the District of Columbia through collective bargaining, to restore the statute of limitations for bringing disciplinary cases against members or civilian employees of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (S. 331) to amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, and for other purposes.

    …jury rights, cruel and unusual punishment, unenumerated rights, or reserved powers. The waiver of points of order is a procedural mechanism, not a substantive rights restriction. The resolution does not restrict individual liberty…

20. Constitution Index grade · Constitution grade A (Constitutional) · Oct 10, 2026

    H.Res. 242: Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 24) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 75) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers"; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1048) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to strengthen disclosure requirements relating to foreign gifts and contracts, to prohibit contracts between institutions of higher education and certain foreign entities and

    …trial, jury, cruel and unusual punishment, unenumerated rights, or reserved powers. It is purely procedural and does not affect individual rights. The resolution imposes no restrictions on individuals' person, property, speech, labor, or…