After a lengthy break, Congress will return for a few weeks in September before adjourning again to hit the campaign trail. There are many items which Congress much address or take up during the lame duck session post-election.
Congress must pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution by September 30 to avoid a government shutdown. The House has passed 5 of 12 appropriations bills which the Senate has not passed any. A continuing resolution is the most likely outcome, however the length of the resolution and whether it will include other provisions including earmarks and certain policy riders are up for debate. Some House Republicans are in favor of a six-month resolution including a proof of citizenship voting measure, which is a non-starter for Democrats.
President Biden submitted a list of anomalies to be including in a continuing resolution including spending on election security and presidential transition efforts, reiterating its full budget request for the Social Security Administration, and Veterans Affairs funding among other items.
The Veterans Affairs department is also nearing a roughly $3 billion budget shortfall, which Congress has until September 20 to address. If Congress does not act, veteran compensation and pension benefits, and readjustment benefits, could be delayed.
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and the Farm bill which includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, both technically expire on September 30th, with impact not being felt until next year. These programs could be extended within the continuing resolution. The Farm Bill and the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act are both due for reauthorization, however legislation has yet to be agreed upon between the House and Senate.
Another issue is the impending deadline to raise the debt ceiling. Congress must pass an increase by January 2, 2025, to avoid the federal government being placed in the position of not having the funds necessary to meet its financial obligations. The consequences of failing to raise the debt ceiling could be severe, including market volatility, increased borrowing costs, and disruptions in government payments.
We’ll continue to keep our advocates informed of pertinent updates related to all of these areas. Of course, the election results my affect the willingness of lawmakers to compromise.
