This Week in Congress
Congress has few working days left to fund the government and extend key programs by September 30th, with the Senate scheduled to return this week and the House on September 12th. Both chambers have a packed agenda that will include work on fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations, the annual defense policy bill, and longer-term reauthorizations for aviation, farm, and nutrition programs. The Biden administration formally asked Congress on August 31st for a stopgap to avoid a shutdown. Speaker McCarthy (R-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) have said they support a temporary extension into early December.
The House is slated to consider its Defense and Homeland Security spending bills the week of September 11th and Senate appropriators have advanced all 12 bills out of full committee and the chamber could vote this fall on these measures with bipartisan support. Finally, Senate Majority Leader Schumer said the Senate would prioritize judicial and executive nominees, rail safety, insulin and prescription drug prices, and banking for marijuana businesses this year, among other issues. Meanwhile, House Republicans are continuing various probes aimed at Biden administration officials, including potential impeachments. Both chambers are working on proposals that would address expiring health programs and a regulatory framework for digital assets.