This episode of Congress in Context explores the brief pro forma sessions held on February 17, 2026, as the 119th Congress navigated the President's Day holiday weekend. While the House and Senate were in session for only minutes, the day's record is rich with legislative intent, including the introduction of 13 new public bills and two resolutions covering diverse issues from firearm safety education to the termination of global tariff emergencies. The episode also highlights the intersection of faith and governance through the Chaplain’s prayer for President Trump and the nation’s leadership, as well as the significant space dedicated to Black History Month. From the 100th anniversary of the George Washington Carver Museum in Arizona to the recognition of distinguished community leaders in Central Florida, we examine how the Congressional Record serves as a vital archive for national and local heritage even when floor debate is absent.

Congressional Record Analysis of the following dates:

February 17, 2026

https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/browse-by-date

Bills

• H.R. 1028: Modifies eligibility requirements for amateur sports governing organizations.

• H.R. 7396: Establishes an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration.

• H.R. 7588: Amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to require attestation of information during the consumer complaint submission process.

• H.R. 7589: Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to continue the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program.

• H.R. 7590: Promotes State requirements for the prevention and treatment of concussions in school sports.

• H.R. 7591: Requires local educational agencies to distribute guidance regarding firearm safety to students and parents.

• H.R. 7592: Requires certain agencies to impose extendable sunset dates on regulations.

• H.R. 7593: Authorizes reimbursement for motor vehicle rentals for uniformed service members traveling for certain training or muster duties.

• H.R. 7594: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude post-graduation scholarship grants from gross income.

• H.R. 7595: Directs a study on the number of residential and public housing units located within one mile of a superfund site.

• H.R. 7596: Directs a study to identify options to improve housing for the elderly or disabled.

• H.R. 7597: Requires HUD to identify significant regulatory barriers to affordable housing in its annual report.

• H.R. 7598: Provides for the refund of VA housing loan fees for veterans with pending disability claims.

• H.R. 7599: Authorizes the issuance of extreme risk protection orders.

• H.R. 7600: Modifies pay and benefit negotiation procedures for USPS supervisory and managerial personnel.

• H.J. Res. 150: A joint resolution to terminate the national emergency declared to impose global tariffs.

• H. Res. 1067: Provides for consideration of a bill to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation regarding the conflict in Ukraine.