Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1689) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status.

Bill Number: H.Res. 965
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Congress
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-04-16: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T08:06:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 965) sets up fast-track procedures in the U.S. House of Representatives to consider and pass H.R. 1689, a bill that mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haiti. TPS is a temporary legal protection allowing eligible people from designated countries to live and work in the U.S. if their home country faces dangers like violence, disasters, or unrest that make return unsafe.

Key Provisions

Immediate floor consideration: House proceeds directly to H.R. 1689 upon adopting the resolution, waiving all objections (points of order) to its debate or content.
Amendment adoption: Replaces the original bill text with a single section requiring the DHS Secretary to designate Haiti for TPS until 3 months after January 20, 2029 (approximately April 20, 2029), overriding any conflicting laws.
Debate and voting rules:
1 hour of debate, split equally between majority and minority leaders (or designees).
No amendments except one motion to recommit (send back to committee).
Bill considered read and ready for final vote.
Transmission to Senate: House Clerk must send the passed bill to the Senate within one week.
Rule waivers: Suspends specific House rules on amendments and motions.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Mandates TPS designation: TPS is normally a discretionary decision by the DHS Secretary based on country conditions. This bill forces the designation for Haiti for a fixed period, regardless of other laws or executive judgment.
No renewal or extension process specified; ends automatically on the set date.

Potential Impacts

On government agencies: DHS must implement TPS for eligible Haitians (e.g., work permits, deportation protection), increasing workload for processing applications and benefits.
On citizens/immigrants: Provides temporary relief to Haitians already in the U.S. or arriving during the period, preventing deportations and allowing legal work/stay; could benefit thousands based on past Haiti TPS enrollments.
On international relations: Signals U.S. concern for Haiti's instability; may strain relations if executive branch views it as overriding foreign policy discretion.
No direct fiscal impact detailed, but TPS programs typically cost millions in administration.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Haitian nationals in the U.S.: Primary beneficiaries, gaining legal protections.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Required to designate and manage the program.
U.S. Congress: Streamlines passage but limits debate.
Executive branch (President/Secretary): Loses discretion on immigration decisions.
U.S. taxpayers: Indirect costs for program administration.
Haiti: Indirectly affected via U.S. policy on its citizens.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Separation of powers: Congress compels executive action on immigration (typically executive turf), potentially challenging presidential authority; could face legal challenges if signed into law.
Override of discretion: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law" clause prioritizes this mandate, limiting DHS flexibility.
Political context: Fast-track process (waivers, limited debate) reduces opposition, highlighting partisan push for Haiti aid amid its crises.
Temporary nature: Fixed end date avoids permanent changes but sets precedent for future congressional TPS mandates.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

Recent Actions

2026-04-16: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-04-16: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 207 (Roll no. 119). (Roll call 119)
2026-04-16: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 207 (Roll no. 119). (Roll call 119)
2026-04-16: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2939-2940)
2026-04-15: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 965, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Pressley demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2026-04-15: The previous question was ordered without objection.
2026-04-15: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 965.
2026-04-15: Considered from the Discharge Calendar. (consideration: CR H2900-2902; text: CR H2900)
2026-04-15: Consideration initiated from the Discharge Calendar.
2026-04-15: On motion to discharge Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 209 (Roll no. 113). (Roll call 113)
2026-04-15: Ms. Pressley moved to discharge. (consideration: CR H2899-2900)
2026-04-15: DEBATE - Pursuant to the rule, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Pressley motion to discharge.
2026-04-15: MOTION TO DISCHARGE COMMITTEE - Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XV, Ms. Pressley called up motion No. 5, to discharge the Committee on Rules from further consideration of H. Res. 965.
2026-04-15: NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER MOTION TO DISCHARGE - Ms. Pressley notified the House of her intent to offer a motion to discharge the Committee on Rules from further consideration of H. Res. 965 pursuant to clause 2(c) of rule XV.
2026-03-27: Motion to discharge the Committee on Rules filed by Ms. Pressley. Assigned to the Discharge Calendar, Calendar No. 5.

Bill Versions

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1689) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. — issued 2026-04-16 — PDF (2 pages)
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1689) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (2 pages)