Legislative Intelligence Briefing - Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | Apogee

Based on my comprehensive search of overnight legislative intelligence, here is the briefing report:

OVERNIGHT LEGISLATIVE INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Congress remains in recess with no floor activity scheduled this week. The Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues with no resolution in sight, while the Trump administration published a new executive order on DEI discrimination by federal contractors. Regulatory activity remains routine with 2,175 Federal Register documents published, including finalized FCC broadband rules and a new proposed FOIA/Privacy Act regulation from the Office of the National Cyber Director.

CONGRESSIONAL SESSION STATUS

House of Representatives: Not in session. Next session date: April 14, 2026.

Senate: In state work period recess. Next session date: April 2, 2026.

Committee Activity: No hearings or markups scheduled for the week of March 30–April 6, 2026.

EXECUTIVE ACTIONS

Executive Order #14398: "Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors"

Signed: March 26, 2026
Published: March 31, 2026 (Federal Register Document 2026-06286)
Status: Effective immediately
Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/31/2026-06286/addressing-dei-discrimination-by-federal-contractors

REGULATORY FILINGS & FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIVITY

Finalized Rules (2)

FCC Broadband Expansion Rule (Document 2026-06239)
- Title: Review of the Commission's Rules Governing the 896-901/935-940 MHz Band
- Published: March 31, 2026
- Effective: April 30, 2026
- Summary: FCC expanded broadband access in the 900 MHz band, creating three license options: narrowband, 3/3 paired broadband, and 5/5 paired broadband channels.
- Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/31/2026-06239/review-of-the-commissions-rules-governing-the-896-901935-940-mhz-band
FAA Airspace Modification (Document 2026-06214)
- Title: Modification of Class E Airspace; Denver International Airport, Denver, CO
- Published: March 31, 2026
- Effective: July 9, 2026
- Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/31/2026-06214/modification-of-class-e-airspace-denver-international-airport-denver-co

Proposed Rules (1)

Office of the National Cyber Director FOIA/Privacy Act Regulations (Document 2026-06195)
- Title: Implementing the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act
- Published: March 31, 2026
- Comment Period Closes: May 15, 2026 (45 days remaining)
- Summary: ONCD's first FOIA and Privacy Act regulations establishing processes for responding to information requests.
- Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/31/2026-06195/implementing-the-freedom-of-information-act-and-privacy-act

Administrative Notices (27): Routine paperwork reduction notices, information collection requests, and agency meetings published across Defense, Agriculture, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, and other departments.

ONGOING LEGISLATIVE CRISES

DHS Shutdown Continues

The Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which began in early March 2026, remains unresolved with no end in sight.
House and Senate Republicans remain at odds over funding and immigration enforcement conditions.
Senate Republicans negotiated a deal to leave Immigration and Customs Enforcement unfunded; House Republicans rejected it.
Media reports indicate the shutdown could extend "into the summer" with minimal pressure from airport security delays.
Significance: This is the longest DHS shutdown on record, creating operational strain across federal law enforcement and border security.

GOP Reconciliation Bill Funding Challenges

Republicans are assembling a second GOP-only reconciliation package that could include DHS funding, military operations in Iran, and other initiatives.
Fiscal hawks are expressing concerns about finding sufficient spending offsets to comply with reconciliation rules.
Final topline number and bill contents remain unsettled.

POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN NEWS

Birthright Citizenship Supreme Court Case

Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on March 31, 2026 (today) on the constitutionality of Trump's executive order restricting birthright citizenship.
The case centers on whether the 14th Amendment automatically confers citizenship on those born in the U.S.

AI Regulation & Public Opinion

Survey data shows 90% of Americans believe AI products for children should be verified as "safe" before use.
40% of Americans are excited about AI; 23% are concerned; 35% feel both.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans use AI weekly or more.
Congress continues to struggle with AI regulation despite public demand for guardrails.

Social Security Trust Fund Depletion

Congressional Budget Office projects the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will be depleted in 2032.
After depletion, Social Security taxes will fund only 72% of benefits, resulting in a 28% across-the-board benefit cut absent legislative action.

Hospital Antitrust Enforcement

Department of Justice sued the New York-Presbyterian hospital system for anticompetitive contracting practices that forced insurers to place its facilities in most-favored tiers and blocked incentive programs.

ACTION ITEMS

Monitor DHS Shutdown Resolution: Track House-Senate Republican negotiations for any movement on funding or immigration enforcement conditions.
Track Birthright Citizenship Ruling: Supreme Court decision expected within weeks; will likely trigger legislative responses.
Watch Reconciliation Bill Development: Monitor GOP efforts to assemble second reconciliation package; final contents and timeline remain fluid.
Monitor ONCD FOIA Regulations: Comment period open through May 15, 2026 for new cyber director FOIA/Privacy Act rules.