CONGRESS RETURNS TO THE HILL--HOUSE BEGINS WORK ON CONTINUING RESOLUTION AND PLANS FOR NDAA TAKE SHAPE IN THE SENATE
Congress returned to the Hill yesterday to work on a potential stopgap measure for government funding, which is set to run out on Sept. 30. As a reminder, here's where Congress stood at the time of recess. House Republicans unveiled yesterday their proposed six-month continuing resolution (CR) that would extend funding through the spring.
Speaker Johnson has proposed that the six-month funding resolution be paired with the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote and is opposed by House and Senate Democrats. Providing an additional challenge, several Republicans have stated publicly that they will vote against the CR due to concerns with spending levels and various other fiscal reasons. As reported by Punchbowl News, “The House will theoretically take up the rule this afternoon — that is if the leadership doesn’t pull the plug beforehand or delay it to give Johnson more time to work over members.”
In other congressional business, Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Jack Reed (D-RI) told reporters Monday that the Senate will likely bypass a debate on its defense policy bill, which advanced from committee in June. As reported by POLITICO Pro, “With Congress back in session for only a few weeks before the elections, Reed said that time would likely be best used by beginning to iron out differences between the House and Senate.”
