Why it Matters

The House Administration Committee markup scheduled for March 18, 2026, puts three bills on the table that touch a nerve across different constituencies: whether members of Congress should forfeit pay during government shutdowns, how legislative branch agencies are structured, and whether a Smithsonian museum dedicated to American women's history finally gets the green light. Each measure carries distinct political weight — and together, they offer a window into the committee's priorities as the 119th Congress moves deeper into its legislative calendar.

Three Bills, Three Fights

According to the official committee notice, the March 2026 markup hearing covers:

  • H.R. 5891 — the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act
  • H.R. 6028 — the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act
  • H.R. 1329 — the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act

Congressional Pay During Shutdowns

H.R. 5891 is the bill most likely to generate public attention. The concept — withholding congressional paychecks when the government shuts down — has been a recurring proposal across multiple Congresses, consistently polling well with voters who view it as a basic accountability measure.

This isn't the bill's first appearance before the panel. The House Administration Committee previously scheduled H.R. 5891 for markup on January 14, 2026, alongside the Stop Insider Trading Act. Its return to the March 18 agenda indicates it was either held over or required additional consideration before advancing. With budget battles a persistent feature of the current Congress, the timing of this congressional markup session keeps the shutdown-pay question in the spotlight.

Legislative Branch Agency Overhaul

H.R. 6028, the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act, is a more technical measure aimed at the organizational structure of agencies that serve Congress. The committee laid groundwork for this bill through a recent hearing titled "Oversight of the Government Publishing Office in a Digital-First Era," which examined how legislative branch entities are adapting to modern demands. That hearing directly connects to H.R. 6028's focus on clarifying agency roles and authorities.

Women's History Museum

H.R. 1329 would establish a Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on or near the National Mall. The legislation has been introduced across multiple prior Congresses and has historically drawn bipartisan support. Its inclusion in this House Administration Committee 2026 markup signals that sponsors believe there is enough momentum to push it through committee and toward the floor during the 119th Congress.

The Committee's Broader Posture

This markup doesn't exist in a vacuum. Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI-1) has been running an active committee. In February 2026, the committee's news page highlighted Steil's role in pushing the SAVE America Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) through the House on February 11, 2026 — a major election integrity bill that falls squarely within the panel's jurisdiction over elections and House operations.

Recent committee hearings further illustrate the breadth of the panel's agenda:

  • "Make Elections Great Again: How to Restore Trust and Integrity in Federal Elections" — a full committee hearing on election administration
  • "The Future of Constituent Engagement with Congress" — a Subcommittee on Modernization and Innovation hearing focused on how members interact with the public

The March 18 House committee hearing preview of these three bills shows a committee balancing red-meat accountability measures (shutdown pay), institutional housekeeping (agency clarification), and cultural legacy legislation (women's history museum).

Lobbying Activity in the Committee's Orbit

Over the past year, several organizations filed lobbying disclosures on issues that intersect with the House Administration Committee's jurisdiction over elections, voting, and governance.

Notable filings include:

These filings cover topics including electoral integrity, voting systems and procedures, election administration, and congressional governance transparency — all areas that fall within this committee's purview. While none of the filings appear to target the three specific House Administration resolutions on the March 18 agenda, they reflect sustained outside interest in the committee's work.

Who's in the Room

The markup is chaired by Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI-1), with Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL-15) serving as Vice Chair and Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY-25) as Ranking Member. The full committee includes eight Republicans and four Democrats.

The session is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in 1310 Longworth House Office Building. The meeting notice is available through Congress.gov.

Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights.

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article