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
    42·
    6 days ago

    Again with the false dichotomy. I can be against allowing a shutdown and against appeasing the fascists at the same time.

    No you cannot and still be providing a logically consistent argument. Those positions are mutually exclusive.

    Those two are NOT the only options are pretending otherwise is playing into the hands of fascists and other demagogues such as Schumer.

    There are no mechanisms in the Constitution for the minority party to enact meaningful change or to obstruct that do not involve shutting down the government.

    What are the other options?

    Some ABSOLUTELY do.

    They are a tiny minority that does not include Trump.

    Again, they’re not unanimous. The Freedumb Caucus and other factions always defect at first.

    They defect in favor of a shutdown.

    Again, tell that to the people who might survive if a third option is accomplished.

    What third option?

    If they can’t do anything while in the minority, why show up to work at all? Why do we keep paying them if they’re literally powerless and thus useless?

    Exactly. Hence a government shutdown.

    The answer is that they’re NOT anywhere near as powerless as you and they pretend. They have ways of subverting or at least delaying the whole absurd procedure if they’re willing to.

    Yes. With a government shutdown.

    Anyway, I’ve said what needs to be said and you’ve made it abundantly clear that you’re not going to understand it no matter how many times I repeat myself and/or rephrase things, so we’re done here. Have the day you deserve.

    Open your windows. You may have carbon monoxide poisoning.

    You’re literally doing what you are accusing me of doing with all that nonsense I didn’t quote. Like a Republican. It’s a blatantly clear cut situation. If you have a third option to this situation speak up! Say what that third option is. That’s how it’s obvious you’re the one arguing in bad faith here or have carbon monoxide poisoning. edit: typo

    If you knew a third option you could have listed it!