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:

  • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works
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    5 days ago

    This is your reminder that we in a make or deal or shut it down situation because of how Democratic politicians bring a paper napkin to a gunfight and don’t understand basic game theory. That, or they’re simply just captive opposition at this point.

    I simply don’t trust them to do anything useful to stop the fascists. With a handful of exceptions, they’re all performative imbeciles with a dismaying lack of character, fortitude, creativity, and will.

    • ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      5 days ago

      I know that. Read the comment section. There is a user arguing against shutting down the government on the basis of a third option that the user cannot give in any detail. We need to be pushing the Democrats for a shutdown because they will not do it on their own. The last thing we need is to give Democrats an out when we do not have a third option.

    • Revan343@lemmy.ca
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      4 days ago

      That, or they’re simply just captive opposition at this point.

      It’s this one. Not everyone in the party, but the party as a whole

    • HubertManne@piefed.social
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      5 days ago

      Keep in mind that a shutdown just enables trump to eliminate departments and get rid of people easier. shutdown was a problem for when democrats were in power because they look to have functional government. trump just wants to have a reason to declare martial law and in no way wants a functioning government. A shutdown is not a threat for them.