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House Rules Committee adopts closed rules for four measures after failed bid to add DHS funding
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Summary
The Rules Committee approved closed rules to bring four measures to the floor — HR 4690, HR 1897, HR 5587 and H.Res. 1182 — after Democrats’ attempt to add immediate consideration of a Senate DHS funding compromise failed in a 3‑to‑6 recorded vote. The committee’s action clears the bills for floor consideration under closed rules.
The House Rules Committee on April 20 approved a closed rule to bring four measures to the floor: HR 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act; HR 1897, the Endangered Species Act amendments of 2025; HR 5587, the Harnessing Energy at Thermal Sources Act of 2026; and H.Res. 1182, a nonbinding resolution praising congressional work for rural communities. Representative Chip Roy moved the rule on behalf of the majority and the motion passed after recorded voting.
Democrats pressed unsuccessfully to add immediate consideration of the Senate’s DHS funding amendment, which would fund most Department of Homeland Security components while excluding ICE and CBP. Ranking Member James McGovern offered the amendment and urged a yes vote, saying the Senate had passed the compromise unanimously and that key homeland functions — FEMA, TSA and the Coast Guard — should be funded now. Representative McGovern said the Senate agreement was a bipartisan path to avoid gaps that leave front‑line personnel unpaid. "Stop standing in the way of funding these agencies," he said.
Republicans and other members opposed the amendment, arguing that a narrow Senate product that excluded ICE and Border Patrol did not meet the House majority’s priorities. Representative Roy framed the floor agenda as a chance to advance Republican policy and counter what he called the Senate’s piecemeal approach. The amendment failed on a recorded tally the clerk reported as 3 ayes and 6 nays; the committee then approved the majority motion to report the closed rule by a reported 6 yeas to 3 nays.
What the rule does: the committee’s action places each bill before the House under closed rules (no amendments in order on the floor) and adopts committee substitutes where printed. For each measure the rule provided one hour of general debate evenly divided between the committee chair and ranking member of the committee of jurisdiction and one motion to recommit.
Why it matters: Closed rules limit floor amendments and debate, making the Rules Committee’s decisions consequential for how members can shape legislation on the House floor. Democrats said the choice to use closed rules and to prioritize a commemorative resolution (H.Res. 1182) over substantive funding measures reflects a process problem; Republicans said the rules are an efficient way to move multiple bills forward.
The committee designated Representative Roy to manage the rule for the majority and Representative DeGoose for the Democrats. The committee adjourned without further questions.
