Congress is Back in Session. What’s on the Immediate Agenda?

Posted by Ryan Fitzgerald on September 9, 2024

Congress is back in session as of September 9 after an August recess. There’s a lot of speculation around what Congress will prioritize, Many are calling the return a three-week sprint, which will lead to an additional recess starting at the end of September and running through November’s General Election. 

We know that they will have until September 30th to pass a funding package, yet again, to avoid a government shutdown. Not only will Congress have to work together but members and factions of parties are trying to navigate the “when” and “how long” — they will fund the government as a matter of political strategy. Some Republican lawmakers want to extend funding through March 2025, so that if former President Donald Trump takes office, he won’t have a government funding issue within the first few months of his Presidency. Other concerns with any version of a Continuing Resolution (CR) are around what that package would include. A faction of conservative Republicans have requested and are expecting that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will include the SAVE Act language in any CR moving out of the House. . The SAVE Act legislation that would expand requirements for voters to provide proof of citizenship when going to polls or before getting a ballot.  

Additionally, Congress has until September 20th to address a budget shortfall with the Department of Veterans Affairs. If they do not address this $3 billion shortfall, veterans will experience issues with delayed compensation and benefits. The Farm Bill is also set to expire on September 30. The consequences of the expiration won’t occur until December 31st, but this will still be a cause of concern for Congress in September. 

Due to the impending election, lawmakers are likely to use this time to advance political messaging of their party and in support of their efforts toward reelection or election of members of their party.  

As we head into the General Election and prepare for the 119th Congress, we can expect a great deal of political fireworks, but there will be some significant bi-partisan discussions around funding the government and preparing tax legislation, which will be a main focus of the next Congress, as Bush and Trump era tax cuts are set to sunset in 2025. Additional bi-partisan issues will likely include discussions around housing affordability, managing or regulating artificial intelligence (AI), and data privacy/security for consumers and business alike. 

The GoWest Advocacy Team will continue to keep you apprised of pressing issues, and let you know where we need our credit union leaders to weigh-in and be further involved in those issues.   

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Federal Advocacy.