HRES682-119

What This Bill Does

This special rule combines the fiscal year 2026 defense authorization bill with an immigration penalties bill. This is a special House rule, not final enactment of the underlying policies. Its effect is to decide how the House may consider the named measures: it waives points of order, treats measures as read, sets debate time, identifies adopted committee or Rules Committee text, and preserves only the motions listed in the rule. The measures covered are H.R. 3838 authorizing fiscal year 2026 military activities of the Department of Defense, military construction, defense activities of the Department of Energy, and military personnel strengths; and H.R. 3486 amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for individuals who illegally enter and reenter the United States after removal. That procedural design matters because it can move controversial disapproval resolutions or policy bills to a final vote while limiting the ability to raise procedural objections or offer amendments.

Who Benefits and How

Department of Defense programs, military construction projects, Department of Energy defense activities, Armed Services Committee leadership, immigration enforcement supporters, and supporters of higher illegal reentry penalties benefit from protected floor consideration. House majority leadership benefits because the rule converts the covered measures into a controlled floor package. The House Rules Committee benefits because its report and special-rule language define the operative text and amendment process. Committee chairs benefit when they control debate time for their committee's measures. Supporters of the underlying resolutions or bills benefit because the waiver and previous-question language reduce procedural friction.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Members seeking amendments outside the Rules Committee report, opponents of H.R. 3838, noncitizens charged with illegal entry or reentry, criminal-defense advocates, and opponents of H.R. 3486 bear burdens. House Members seeking amendments bear a burden because amendments are barred or limited to the Rules Committee report. House minority leadership bears a burden because debate time is capped and the previous question prevents intervening motions except those named in the rule. Opponents of the covered measures lose some procedural tools because points of order against consideration and against provisions are waived. The House Clerk and floor staff must implement the timing, reading, amendment, and message instructions.

Key Provisions

• Provides Committee of the Whole consideration of H.R. 3838 with Rules Committee Print 119-8 treated as adopted.
• Limits H.R. 3838 amendments to part A amendments and Armed Services en bloc amendments.
• Authorizes en bloc amendments with 40 minutes of debate and no division demand.
• Provides consideration of H.R. 3486 with the Judiciary Committee substitute as modified by part B.
• Waives points of order and preserves one motion to recommit for each bill.