This Week in Congress!
On Saturday, the Senate joined the House for the August recess, which is meant to be the laziest time of year in Washington. For hundreds of years, the oppressive heat and humidity has encouraged members of Congress to shut down their offices and return home to recharge, but this year, I imagine it will likely be little respite even after legislators leave. When Congress returns on September 2nd, the focus will be on the looming September 30th deadline to pass a new spending bill or shutdown the government. Over the break, this will be the first extended period back in their districts, states since President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill, which could define the 2026 elections. Alternatively, Democrats are doubling down on their critiques of various elements of the bill, particularly the cuts to Medicaid, which will impact a number of rural and working class districts represented by Republicans. Ahead of the break, the Senate approved three of four spending bills including Legislative Branch, Agriculture-FDA, and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs.