House Is Back: Can They Just Keep Lights On?

Lawmakers are back in Washington after a five-week break. Their main job right now? Making sure the government does not shut down.

The House gathered this afternoon and is looking at a Senate-approved plan to keep current funding levels locked in through early December. Leaders want a vote on this as soon as tomorrow. The process would fast-track the bill straight to the floor for a final vote. It needs support from two-thirds of members to pass. That should not be too hard since the Senate already approved it 90 to 6 back in August. Unless President Donald Trump throws a curveball with last-minute demands, things look pretty smooth on this front.

Past that one funding measure, the to-do list is basically empty. There are no big deadlines or expiring programs hanging over Congress right now. A few other items could come up, including a formal reprimand of Representative Chuck Edwards from North Carolina after an ethics investigation found he repeatedly acted inappropriately toward young female staff members. Two additional resolutions involve holding witnesses in contempt in a case tied to former Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from Florida.

Here is the interesting part. The House might pack up again next week and stay gone until after the November elections. With such a slim Republican majority and not much pressing business, plenty of incumbents would rather be back in their home states campaigning than sitting through empty sessions in Washington. Speaker Mike Johnson did not give a straight answer when reporters asked him about the September schedule. He basically pointed to the official calendar and said that is what is planned.

If the House does leave early, major issues like renewing surveillance powers under FISA Section 702, passing the annual defense bill, or finishing up potential sanctions on Russia and Iran would all get pushed to the late-year lame-duck session. This is pretty common when Congress has breathing room. The Senate, meanwhile, is expected back September 14 to handle presidential appointments and judicial nominations.

On the campaign trail, Republicans in Ohio have another concern brewing. Senator Jon Husted has about six million dollars in campaign funds. The catch? That money was originally saved up for a future run for governor, not for his current Senate race against Democrat Sherrod Brown. The national Republican committee has already flagged worries about the race, including questions around politically sensitive topics like data centers for artificial intelligence.