Look Ahead to the Week of March 9, 2026 | Trump’s New SAVE America Act Ultimatum Complicates Republican Legislative Agenda as War in the Middle East Continues

Alston & Bird’s Legislative & Public Policy Group previews the week ahead highlighting anticipated federal legislative, regulatory, and political activity, and key upcoming actions in Congress, the Administration, and relevant policy arenas.

Administration

• President Trump stated Sunday he would not sign any legislation until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, along with other measures that would significantly overhaul U.S. voting laws. The legislation remains stalled in the Senate without a clear path forward, though proponents are advocating for the elimination of the filibuster.
• Violence in the Middle East continues following last month’s U.S.-Israeli-led strikes on Iran, causing risk and uncertainty for the global economy. Key international stock markets, oil prices, and global shipping routes are being closely observed across the world.

House

• The House is in recess, following last week’s near party-line vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Senate rejected the measure on Thursday, as the DHS shutdown enters its fourth week.
• The House Republican Conference is gathering in Florida this week for its annual policy retreat. The conference will try to coalesce around 2026 legislatives priorities, potentially including a second reconciliation package, cryptocurrency regulation, and military funding.

Senate

• The Senate will vote Monday evening to confirm Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd to the rank of general. If confirmed, he would lead the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.
• Bipartisan housing legislation, the 21^st Century Road to Housing Act, is set to pass the Senate this week. The White House has stated it wants to pass the bill as-is; however, House Republicans dislike a provision restricting the Federal Reserve from using a central bank digital currency through 2030.

Key Hearings

March 10, 2026

• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Increasing Domestic Consumption of United States-Grown Agricultural Products.

March 11, 2026

• Senate Finance Committee: The Fiscal Outlook: 2027-2036.
• Senate Special Committee on Aging: Foreign Dependence: How China Captured America’s Drug Supply.

March 12, 2026

• Senate Armed Services Committee: The Posture of United States European Command and United States Transportation Command in Review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Defense Program.

[View source.]