Congress in Recess as Budget, DHS Funding, and Tariffs Remain Key Issues

While the House and Senate are both in recess for the next two weeks, negotiations continue a variety of issues that Congress must address upon its return.   These include the budget, 2026 DHS funding and the SAVE Act. 
 

Budget: The House and Senate are working on budget bills for FY27.  However, they are waiting on the President’s Budget, which could be released on April 3, which serves as a blueprint for the Administration’s priorities.  ASA was on the Hill to hold discussions with appropriations staff in both chambers surrounding the Energy Star and WaterSense programs, which are of interest to our industry.  Last year, funding was restored by Congress for both programs.  However, the Energy Star program (previously under both DOE and EPA) will be moved entirely to the Department of Energy.  The language that created and authorized the program requires EPA oversight, so how this is rectified remains to be determined. 
 

DHS: With the resignation of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, President Trump nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to be her successor.  Secretary Mullin was confirmed on March 22, with a 54-45 vote in the Senate.  Secretary Mullin is a plumber by trade, and his family continues to operate Mullin Plumbing, headquartered in Tulsa. 
 

With DHS funding still facing resistance in Congress, President Trump signed an Executive Order to pay TSA workers.  This should alleviate some of the long lines seen at airports.  However, other employees of DHS – including Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard – are still working without pay. 
 

Tariff Update:  On Tuesday, in a filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade, Customs and Border Protection said that a tariff refund portal was between 60-85% complete and that the system will take up to 45 days to review and process refund applications.  ASA will provide more information as it becomes available. 
 

Section 122 tariffs remain in effect at 10% until the 150-day window expires on July 24, 2026.  The Administration has been pursuing additional Section 232 (industry specific) and 301 (unfair trade practice) investigations.  Last week, Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asking him to open a 232 investigation into imported heavy machinery, including construction and agriculture.   
 

Politics
 

President Trump Job Approval (RCP Average): 41% Approve – 57% Disapprove.
 

Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Democrats +5.9%. The House currently has a composition of 218 Republicans to 214 Democrats, 3 Vacant.  Special Elections: NJ-11 (Sherrill), Special: 04/26/2026; GA-14 (Taylor-Greene), Runoff: 04/07/2026; CA-1 (LaMalfa), Special: 06/02/2026). The Senate is comprised of 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.