Becker Spotlight: Congress’ Remaining 2026 To-Do List
Overview:
This following spotlight highlights the 119th Congress’ remaining legislative agenda for the year ahead of the midterm elections and seating of the 120th Congress next January. This includes certain bills expiring on September 30th and December 31st, as well as the status of other relevant bills that are still in their early stages.
September 30th Deadlines:
Government Funding Expires: The deadline for FY2027 appropriations is September 30th. The House also passed its Agriculture-FDA Bill and the House Appropriations Committee recently passed multiple FY2027 bills including the Labor-HHS bill, the FY27 Defense Appropriations Act, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, with various subcommittees taking action. The Senate has yet to pass most of its counterpart bills. A continuing resolution (CR) extending funding on a short-term basis is the most likely outcome, otherwise there will be a government shutdown.
Key Infrastructure Authorities Expire: The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – the last major Surface Transportation Reauthorization – also expires on September 30th, which would cut off billions in annual federal competitive and formula highway, transit, and other infrastructure programs. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee passed the bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act and still needs a full House floor vote, but the Senate has yet to take any action. A short-term extension is likely; a prolonged lapse would leave state DOTs unable to commit to multi-year projects.
Farm Bill Programs Expire: The extension of the 2018 Farm Bill lasts until September 30th. The House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 in April, and the Senate Agriculture Committee released its draft in June, with no markup yet scheduled for the summer. If the Farm Bill lapses with no extension, commodity support programs will lose authority.
December 31st Deadlines:
National Defense Authorization Act: The House Armed Services Committee passed the FY2027 NDAA in June, but the full House has yet to consider it over procedural delays regarding a handful of House Republicans’ push to attach election reform provisions to the bill. The Senate is expected to pass their version of the bill in toward the end of the year.
Water Resources Development Act Renewal: Congress has passed the Water Resources Development Act every two years since 2014 to authorize key Army Corps of Engineers water projects and studies. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released text of WRDA 2026 in June, authorizing 131 new Army Corps feasibility studies and 10 new construction projects. The markup was delayed, with no new date confirmed.
Export-Import Bank Charter Lapse: The Export-Import Bank charter is set to lapse December 31st. While the Ex-Im can service its existing portfolio but can’t approve new transactions during a lapse. The banking and manufacturing community will push for renewal, but it will be difficult with conservative opposition to “corporate welfare”. Chairman Jovanovic has already met with House and Senate panels as part of the reauthorization process.
Potential Legislative Initiatives:
Reconciliation 3.0: A third reconciliation bill is in its early stages with House Republicans still discussing the bill. The bill is mostly focused on defense spending, with the bulk of the money going towards aircrafts, missile defense, and space systems. It would also include some other non-defense provisions such as a REAL ID grant program, SNAP eligibility restrictions, and potential short-term government funding extensions to prevent a government shutdown. Opposition of the bill from some senior appropriators, however, makes it unlikely that the bill will be pushed through before midterms.
Iran-Farmer Assistance-Ebola Supplemental: The Trump Administration is requesting $87-88 billion in supplemental appropriations that would cover Iran war costs, farmer aid, and Ebola response funding. Defense officials have confirmed that the supplemental is in development, but no formal request has been sent to Congress. Some Iran skeptics are also opposing the supplemental. If the supplemental doesn’t pass, military operations must be funded from existing accounts with readiness tradeoffs, and farmers and public health programs go without dedicated relief.
Crypto Market Regulation: The Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act passed the House in July 2025, and the Senate Banking Committee this May. The bill grants SEC jurisdiction over digital asset securities and CFTC jurisdiction over digital commodities. The bill is currently on the Senate Legislative Calander. If the CLARITY Act doesn’t pass, the industry returns to regulatory uncertainty enforced through litigation.
Prediction Markets: The Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act was sent to the House floor in June. This bill would prohibit lawmakers and their immediate family members from participating in political prediction markets. The House is currently weighing it.
Controversy Over Veterans Package: The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, which is composed of about 60 military benefits proposals, was introduced in the House in June. It is pending committee review, but is strongly opposed by organizations such as Disabled American Veterans and American Federation of Government Employees, over provisions that cut disability benefits for an estimated 1.5 million veterans. Other veteran organizations support the bill.
Name, Image, and Likeness: The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee passed the Protect College Sports Act, which would establish a national framework for college athletics. The bill awaits a floor vote in the Senate, but the House Student Compensation Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act has been stalled twice now, with the bill being pulled from the floor again in May. There is pressure for legislative action, as the deadline for NCAA rule changes is set for August 1st.
