Political standstill approaching as Congress reconvenes following a month-long vacation in August, potentially leading to a federal shutdown.
The United States Congress returns from its August recess with a government shutdown looming on September 30. Republicans and Democrats need to agree on a spending measure to avoid this potential shutdown.
In the midst of this, Senators are expected to return to fighting over Trump's nominees. Republicans will need Democratic votes to pass a short-term spending extension.
One of the contentious issues on the table is the proposed legislation by GOP Sen. Josh Hawley to keep lawmakers and future presidents from engaging in individual stock trading. However, there is resistance to this ban, including from many wealthy lawmakers who reap dividends from their portfolios.
Meanwhile, Senator Lindsey Graham announced in the week the Congress returns that his bill proposing a 500% tariff on all countries trading with Russia is still in play. This comes as Republicans are considering changing Senate rules to get around Democratic delays in nominations.
On a separate note, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is pushing for a bipartisan sanctions bill against Russia. This move follows Trump's decision to block $4.9 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid, a move that Democrats have warned could tank the broader negotiations.
The Trump administration has also rescinded about $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds.
In a related development, the House Oversight Committee is investigating the Epstein case. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie are pushing for the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking.
The committee will also return from August recess with a slate of interviews lined up as part of its investigation into former President Joe Biden's mental state while in office.
There have been significant changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has ousted Susan Monarez as director of the CDC. Monarez's lawyers said she refused to "rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts."
Several top officials at the CDC have resigned in protest, with Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy calling on the CDC to delay a meeting of outside experts who make recommendations on the use of vaccines until Congress can look into the issue.
Additionally, there are concerns about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy advancing anti-vaccine policies.
These are just a few of the issues that Congress will be grappling with as they return to session. The next few weeks are likely to be filled with heated debates and intense negotiations.
