Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 556) to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1958) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify that aliens who have been convicted of defrauding the United States Government or the unlawful receipt of public benefits are inadmissible and deportable; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4638) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes; and relating to consideration of motions to suspend the rules.

Bill Number: H.Res. 1115
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Congress
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-03-17: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Last Updated: 2026-06-11T23:26:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

H. Res. 1115 is a procedural resolution adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 17, 2026. Its main goal is to establish special rules for debating and voting on four specific bills (H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, H.R. 4638, and H.J. Res. 139) during House floor proceedings. It waives certain standard procedural obstacles (known as "points of order") to streamline consideration, limits debate time, and allows limited amendments or motions, ensuring these bills can move forward efficiently without typical delays.

Key Provisions

Section 1 (H.R. 556): Sets rules for considering a bill that bans the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting lead-based ammunition or fishing tackle on federal lands and waters under their control (e.g., national parks or forests).
Adopts a substitute amendment from the House Committee on Natural Resources as the bill's text.
Allows 1 hour of debate, split equally between the committee chair and ranking minority member (or their designees).
Permits one motion to recommit (send the bill back to committee with possible changes).
Orders the "previous question," which ends debate and forces a vote, with all points of order waived.

Section 2 (H.R. 1958): Applies similar rules to a bill amending the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to declare non-citizens (aliens) convicted of defrauding the U.S. government or illegally receiving public benefits as inadmissible to the U.S. and subject to deportation.
Adopts a substitute amendment from the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Includes the same debate, recommit, and waiver provisions as Section 1.

Section 3 (H.R. 4638): Uses comparable rules for a bill amending the INA to make non-citizens convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement (e.g., police dogs) inadmissible and deportable.
Adopts a modified substitute amendment from the House Committee on the Judiciary (as adjusted by the Committee on Rules).
Follows the same procedural structure for debate, waivers, and motions.

Section 4 (H.J. Res. 139): Extends debate time to 1 hour for any House motion to suspend the rules and consider a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget (no deficits allowed).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution itself introduces no direct changes to substantive laws, as it is purely procedural. However, it facilitates the potential passage of the underlying bills, which could:

For H.R. 556: Override or limit agency authority under environmental laws (e.g., those protecting wildlife from lead poisoning) by prohibiting federal bans on lead ammunition and tackle.
For H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638: Expand the INA's grounds for inadmissibility and deportation, adding new criminal convictions (fraud/benefits misuse and animal harm) as bases for immigration enforcement.
For H.J. Res. 139: If passed and ratified by states, amend the U.S. Constitution to mandate balanced budgets, fundamentally altering fiscal policy rules.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Limits the Interior and Agriculture Departments' regulatory power over hunting and fishing on federal lands (H.R. 556), potentially affecting wildlife management. Enhances Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) deportation authority (H.R. 1958 and 4638). Could constrain congressional spending flexibility if the balanced budget amendment advances (H.J. Res. 139).
On Citizens: Protects hunters and anglers from federal lead restrictions (H.R. 556), possibly increasing access to traditional equipment but raising environmental concerns. Strengthens immigration enforcement against certain criminals (H.R. 1958 and 4638), affecting non-citizen communities. A balanced budget rule might lead to reduced federal spending on programs like social services or infrastructure (H.J. Res. 139).
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though expanded deportation grounds (H.R. 1958 and 4638) could strain ties with countries receiving deportees or affect U.S. immigration diplomacy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Hunters, Fishers, and Sportsmen: Primary beneficiaries of H.R. 556, as it preserves lead-based gear use.
Non-Citizen Immigrants and Law Enforcement: Impacted by H.R. 1958 (those involved in fraud or benefits misuse) and H.R. 4638 (those harming service animals), facing higher deportation risks.
Federal Agencies: Interior, Agriculture, and Justice Departments, with altered regulatory and enforcement powers.
Taxpayers and Policymakers: Affected by H.J. Res. 139's push for fiscal restraint, influencing budget debates.
Environmental and Animal Rights Groups: Potential opponents, due to concerns over lead pollution (H.R. 556) and protections for law enforcement animals (H.R. 4638).
House Members and Committees: Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees gain structured debate control.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Waiving points of order bypasses budget, ethics, or germaneness rules (e.g., under the Congressional Budget Act), allowing faster bill advancement but possibly reducing oversight. The underlying bills could face Senate or court challenges if enacted—e.g., H.R. 556 might conflict with Endangered Species Act protections, and INA amendments could raise due process questions for non-citizens.
Constitutional: H.J. Res. 139 directly proposes altering Article I (congressional powers) to enforce balanced budgets, requiring 38-state ratification—a high bar that highlights debates over federal spending limits versus economic flexibility during crises.
Political: As a "rule" from the Committee on Rules, it reflects majority party control over the House agenda, potentially accelerating partisan priorities (e.g., pro-hunting deregulation and strict immigration). This could polarize debates on environment, immigration, and fiscal policy, influencing midterm or presidential elections.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]

Recent Actions

2026-03-17: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-03-17: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 196 - 193 (Roll no. 91). (text: CR H2538) (Roll call 91)
2026-03-17: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 196 - 193 (Roll no. 91). (text: CR H2538) (Roll call 91)
2026-03-17: On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 196 - 192 (Roll no. 90). (Roll call 90)
2026-03-17: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2546-2547)
2026-03-17: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 1115, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2026-03-17: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1115.
2026-03-17: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H2538-2544)
2026-03-16: Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 66.
2026-03-16: The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
2026-03-16: The House Committee on Rules reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-554, by Ms. Foxx.
2026-03-16: The House Committee on Rules reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-554, by Ms. Foxx.

Bill Versions

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 556) to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1958) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify that aliens who have been convicted of defrauding the United States Government or the unlawful receipt of public benefits are inadmissible and deportable; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4638) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes; and relating to consideration of motions to suspend the rules. — issued 2026-03-17 — PDF (3 pages)
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 556) to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1958) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify that aliens who have been convicted of defrauding the United States Government or the unlawful receipt of public benefits are inadmissible and deportable; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4638) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes; and relating to consideration of motions to suspend the rules. — issued 2026-03-16 — PDF (6 pages)