Federal Update: DHS Shutdown, War Powers, and Housing Legislation Dominate Washington

Legislative Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026

Article Summary: Will County’s federal lobbyists briefed the Legislative Committee on a turbulent week in Washington, D.C., highlighting the passage of a major bipartisan housing bill, ongoing federal agency shutdowns, and looming congressional votes on military conflict in the Middle East.

Federal Legislative Update Key Points:

• The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan “Housing for the 21st Century Act” (H.R. 6644).

• A partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security continues, forcing TSA and FEMA personnel to work without pay.

• The House and Senate are preparing to vote on War Powers Act resolutions to require congressional authorization for further military action in Iran.

• The FY27 appropriations and earmark process is officially underway.

The Will County Legislative Committee received a sobering federal update outlining significant legislative movements in Washington amid international conflict and domestic funding standoffs.

Chris Pratt of Smith Garson delivered the briefing via teleconference, informing the committee that the focus in Washington had rapidly shifted following recent military strikes involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

“A lot of what the White House and the Trump administration are working on right now is just that,” Pratt told the committee. “In Congress, they will also bring up the Iran military conflict with two votes. One will be in the House that will attempt to require the president to receive congressional authorization before he does any more military action in Iran, and the Senate will have the same resolution.”

Board Member Kelly Hickey questioned the necessity of the resolutions, asking, “Isn’t that already in our constitution?” Pratt clarified that the legal authorization stems specifically from the War Powers Act of 1974, and the upcoming votes are meant to reaffirm Congress’s authority over the executive branch.

Domestically, Pratt reported a major breakthrough in housing legislation. On February 9, the House overwhelmingly passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) by a vote of 390–9. According to the agenda packet, the bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to issue voluntary zoning best practices to accelerate housing production and increases Federal Housing Administration (FHA) multifamily loan limits. Pratt noted the Senate is expected to take up a similar companion bill soon.

However, progress on housing was overshadowed by the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“There has been no movement, unfortunately, on coming to any final negotiations with the House, the Senate, and the White House,” Pratt warned. “We have TSA agents that are going without pay right now, and so it may start to affect travel. They’re still working, of course, but they’re working without pay.”

Looking ahead, Pratt confirmed that the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process has officially begun, and Smith Garson is actively working with county staff to submit Community Project Funding requests. Board Member Julie Berkowicz requested that Pratt ensure county board leadership from both the Republican and Democratic caucuses are directly involved in the project selection process to maintain transparency.