Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of July 13

Pressure Builds as August Recess Looms

Congress returns to Washington with big ticket items, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bills, still pending with the month’s-long August recess just weeks away.

House activity remains sensitive as a group of GOP members have practically locked down the floor for several weeks over inaction on the SAVE America Act. The House is slated to consider the FY’27 National Security-State Department appropriations bill once again and will also take up a bill to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. It remains to be seen if the GOP hardliners will drop their blockade and allow legislation to advance, or if the House floor will remain frozen.

The Senate is mourning the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who passed away over the weekend. Senator Graham was the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and a key figure in NDAA negotiations, which Majority Leader Thune intends to bring to the floor this week. The Senate is also working to put the finishing touches on the CLARITY Act, a regulatory framework for digital assets, setting it up for a potential floor vote as early as next week.

Lawmakers in both chambers will convene committee hearings this week, including the following:

• The House Committee on Small Business will examine how AI is shaping the future of small business.
• The House Committee on Foreign Affairs will discuss aligning tools, capital, and partnerships to end supply chain dependency.
• The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government will hold an oversight hearing of the Small Business Administration.
• The Senate Aging Committee will examine foreign ownership and control in America’s drug supply chain.
• The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing to expose fraud in America.