Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of August 31
House Returns from August Recess
The House of Representatives is back from August recess today as the homestretch before Election Day begins. The Senate won’t return until September 14th.
The House is expected to consider a Senate-passed continuing resolution (CR) to extend government funding through December 11th, aiming to avoid another government shutdown when current funding expires on September 30th. The House may also consider a constitutional amendment that would fix the Supreme Court at nine justices, and legislation that would strip federal Higher Education Act funds from institutions that participate in commercial boycotts of Israel.
Other House priorities, including a budget resolution to unlock a third budget reconciliation bill, cryptocurrency legislation, and the Farm Bill, remain stuck in the Senate. The narrow timeline between the Senate’s return from August recess and Congress’ departure for its October break makes it unclear if these items will advance before Election Day.
The House will convene committee hearings this week, including the following:
- The House Committee on Education & the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education will examine state-led childcare solutions
- The House Committee on Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on Work and Welfare will discuss restoring the promise of work and personal responsibility in federal welfare programs
- The House Committee on Ways and Means will hold a hearing to examine strategic partnerships to secure critical resources and supply chains
- The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy will discuss U.S. leadership in nuclear reactors
- The House Committee on Small Business will examine future resource needs and small business opportunity
