# Congress is back, but not for long

> Both chambers return this week, and the House is already packing up until mid-November.
- Title: Congress is back, but not for long · Valleynewslive | Shortify
- Summary: Both chambers return this week, and the House is already packing up until mid-November. This is the last week both chambers work together before the…
- Keywords: congress, midterms, federal reserve, trump, russia sanctions, news, local, back, long, Valleynewslive
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/13/week-ahead-washington-september-13
- Published: 2026-09-13T18:13:20.633+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: congress, midterms, federal reserve, trump, russia sanctions, news, local
## Congress returns at last
Both chambers are back on Capitol Hill this week for the first time since July, after a long August away.

> Both chambers of Congress return to Capitol Hill this week for the first time since July.
## The House cuts and runs
Speaker Mike Johnson scrapped the last two weeks of the House calendar so members can campaign. The Senate stays three more weeks.
## Sanctions bill named for Graham
Before the House leaves, it takes up a Russia sanctions measure named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The Senate already passed it by a wide margin in August.
## Trump heads to North Carolina
With the midterms under two months out, the president campaigns Wednesday for Senate nominee Michael Whatley, the former RNC chair.
## Black Caucus marks 50 years
The Congressional Black Caucus opens its annual legislative conference Wednesday under the theme "Rooted, Ready and Rising," marking the foundation's 50th year.

> Rooted, Ready and Rising
## The Fed may hike Wednesday
The Federal Reserve is expected to say whether it raises rates, despite pressure from Trump not to. It would be the first hike since 2023.
## Key takeaway

This is the last week both chambers work together before the midterms, so anything that does not pass now waits until mid-November.