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Both chambers of Congress are scheduled to return to Washington on November 9 for the lame-duck session. While there are a few actions Congress is highly likely to take, the broader agenda will depend heavily on the outcome of the midterm elections. The House is expected to hold a procedurally required vote on articles of…

Last week, the Senate narrowly rejected an Iran War Powers resolution that passed the House in July (H. Con. Res. 89).  Republican Sens. Collins (R-ME), Murkowski (R-AK), Paul (R-KY), and Tillis (R-NC) all voted for the measure.  Democratic Sen. Fetterman (D-PA) joined all other Republicans in voting against it. 

The outcome of the midterm elections will play a significant role in determining which of these priorities move during the lame-duck session. If Democrats gain control of one or both chambers, President Trump could seek action on several priorities before the current Congress concludes, including supplemental Defense Department funding. The administration could also push legislation…

With the House in recess until November 9, the Senate has a limited window to complete legislative business before the November elections. This week, the Senate continued work on the Protect College Sports Act (S. 4668), which addresses federal standards for college athletics and NIL agreements. Additionally, the Senate voted on one of the President’s…

SBA Extends Comment Period on Proposed Small Business Size Standards Following ASA Request – ASA Advocacy Helps Secure Additional Time for Construction Industry to Review Sweeping Proposed Changes The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has extended the public comment period for its proposed changes to federal small-business size standards, giving construction contractors, subcontractors, trade associations,…

The Trump administration’s consideration of restrictions on U.S. diesel exports could have significant implications for construction subcontractors and specialty trade contractors, particularly at a time when diesel prices are already elevated. President Trump has expressed support for restricting or banning U.S. diesel exports as a way to increase domestic fuel supplies and potentially reduce prices.…

The House recessed last Wednesday, a day earlier than planned, and will not return to session until November 9, following the midterm elections. The early departure came amid a politically complicated situation involving a procedurally mandated vote on articles of impeachment filed by Rep. Massie (R-KY) against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

With the House already recessed and the Senate potentially facing a shortened legislative window, the amount of major legislation Congress can complete before the November elections is increasingly limited. The Senate’s immediate agenda includes college sports and NIL legislation, potential action on energy permitting reform, and possibly the Ratepayer Protection Act addressing data center electricity…

Congress returned to Washington, D.C. following the Labor Day recess, but the House is expected to have only a short window for legislative action. House leaders currently plan to keep members in Washington through Thursday before sending them home until after the November midterm elections. The Senate is scheduled to remain in session through Friday,…

For America’s small construction contractors, one of the biggest challenges in federal contracting is not winning the work—it is getting paid when the government changes the work after the contract has been awarded. That is why ASA supports H.R. 4615, the Small Business Payment for Performance Act. The legislation addresses a basic problem faced by…