House — July 16, 2026
The July 16, 2026 House Congressional Record was dominated by Extensions of Remarks rather than live floor debate. The most substantive policy statements addressed federal contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses and the FY2027 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. Rep. Nydia Velazquez strongly defended the SBA Women-Owned Small Business Program against proposed legislation she argued would eliminate meaningful participation by women entrepreneurs in federal procurement, while Rep. Betty McCollum opposed H.R. 8595 for cutting diplomacy, development, and global health funding and discussed concerns over U.S. military assistance to Israel. The Record also included a significant civil rights remembrance from Rep. Danny K. Davis honoring Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, connecting Till’s murder to the broader Civil Rights Movement and the importance of preserving that history. Other remarks were commemorative, including tributes to veterans, aviators, educators, labor advocates, local businesses, and philanthropic leaders.
Senate — July 16, 2026
The Senate’s July 16, 2026 proceedings featured two notable floor votes and nomination actions. Senators rejected, 46-50, a motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 198, which would have disapproved a CMS Medicare prior authorization rule related to the WISeR model. The chamber also invoked cloture on Kara Marie Westercamp’s nomination to the U.S. Court of International Trade and set up a Monday cloture vote on Benjamin M. Flowers for the Sixth Circuit, underscoring the continued priority placed on judicial confirmations.