As Congress returns to Washington this fall after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats or around them as a government shutdown looms.

Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” of tax and spending cuts without a single Democratic vote. But as they return to Washington this fall after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats — or around them — as a government shutdown looms.

The annual spending battle will dominate the September agenda, along with a possible effort by Senate Republicans to change their chamber’s rules to thwart Democratic stalling tactics on nominations. The Senate is also debating whether to move forward on legislation that would slap steep tariffs on some of Russia’s trading partners as the U.S. pressures Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.

In the House, Republicans will continue their investigations of former President Joe Biden while Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a split in his conference over whether the Trump administration should release more files in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

A look at what Congress will be doing as lawmakers return from the August break:

  • ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    61·
    5 days ago

    Because the parts of the government exempted just so happens to be the only parts that the fascists always want to fund.

    So? The Democrats don’t have the power to do anything about that so it isn’t relevant.

    kill even MORE people.

    So you’re ok with some people dying.

    That’s what I’M asking!

    No you’re trying to justify killing a few of us now, so the rest of us can wait out fascism.

    Yes and no: massive fundamental reform of the government into something befitting today’s society is needed to achieve that goal.

    This is laughably unattainable with the current Congress. We’ll need to flip the Supreme Court with multiple consecutive presidential elections to even be able to start taking swings at that. We’re never getting there if Democrats vote for Republican spending cuts with each continuing resolution.

    They HAVE done it. Several times. That’s why they came up with this whole farce to begin with.

    Not in 2025 with this presidential administration and Congress. Which are the only ones that are relevant to this discussion.

    Not necessarily, no. The Freedumb Caucus usually holds the whole thing hostage to make whatever abomination the leadership suggests even WORSE.

    They definitely do. They could all not vote on a bill if their goal was a government shutdown. They have the majority in both houses. And Trump could veto any bill if he wanted. edit: typo

    some don’t

    Yeah, the majority that align with Trump on everything as often as humanly possible.

    Whether the government shuts down or not

    Then why not shut it down.

    Because the parts of the government exempted just so happens to be the only parts that the fascists always want to fund.

    Sounds like they’ve got everything they need either way. If they’re so good at spinning why not shut it down. Because people are turning against them in town halls all across the country. They know there are limits to what even they can get away with. That’s why they delayed portions of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ until after the midterms.

    …are you new? 99% of the times that the Dem leadership ever uses what leverage they have effectively, it’s to benefit their owner donors, not regular people who need it the most.

    What is going on here? I brought up that Schumer is never going to allow a government shutdown. You’re trying to argue that we’re risking lives by doing a shutdown when that’s what you’re arguing for by arguing against a shutdown. I’m surprised you don’t like Schumer since he’s doing exactly what you think is best. If I didn’t know better I would say you were trolling. But I’ve never seen a troll hold mutually exclusive positions in their heads let alone post them in the same comment before. If you know Schumer is bad for not doing a shutdown why do you also think shutdowns are bad? Surely either Schumer is correct and at least somewhat good for opposing a shutdown or bad for opposing it.

    Is the ventilation in your building okay? Carbon monoxide poisoning is no joke.