From ABC News · ABC News · · 2m
Congress is back, but not for long
Lawmakers have three weeks, a stalled defense bill, and an AI reckoning before the midterms scatter them.
In brief
Lawmakers have three weeks, a stalled defense bill, and an AI reckoning before the midterms scatter them. Passing the stopgap bought Congress calm, not time. Everything unfinished now piles into the lame duck. Originally reported by ABC News.
Back for a quick minute
Both chambers return to Washington this week for the first time since July 23. It is the last legislative push before the November midterms.
The House barely showed up
Speaker Mike Johnson scrapped two scheduled weeks of votes, leaving the House one week of business. The Senate has three weeks, though Thune could cut that short too.
No shutdown cliff this time
A stopgap Trump already signed funds the government through Dec. 11. September's usual funding brawl is off the table, and a big budget bill likely waits until after the midterms.
The lame duck pileup
Kicking the can on spending and reconciliation just moves both to the top of a crowded post-election agenda. Less pressure now means more later.
“both items could be at the top of a large pile of priorities facing lawmakers in the lame duck session”
Military money is the real fight
The Iran war is in its seventh month, Dan Driscoll resigned as Army secretary, and the must-pass defense authorization bill is stalled. The Senate gave up on a $95 billion replenishment package.
Russia sanctions, by simple majority
House Republicans will bring the sanctions bill to the floor under a rule, needing only 218 votes. That choice signals there aren't two-thirds of members behind it.
A fraud-fighting blitz
The House plans floor debate on several fraud bills this week, including one targeting healthcare fraudsters and another creating a National Fraud Enforcement Division at DOJ.
AI security lands on the Hill
New reports about AI security risks have lawmakers in both parties demanding answers from OpenAI and opening investigations. Expect regulation talk to sharpen.
Crypto and college athletes
The Senate may take up a Name, Image and Likeness bill as soon as this week. A crypto bill is waiting too, slowed by Democratic worries about ethics carve-outs that favor Trump.
Who shows up matters
Mitch McConnell has been away since a June 14 fall, with no word on his return. FBI Director Kash Patel and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent both testify Tuesday.
What matters most
Passing the stopgap bought Congress calm, not time. Everything unfinished now piles into the lame duck.
