The Senate returns from its August break this week with the House following the week after. Both chambers are coming back to work with priorities set on funding the government to avoid a shutdown.
In the Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) is placing the possibility of a shutdown square on the shoulders of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Speaking to the Washington Post, Schumer called on McCarthy and other Republicans “to make up their minds” and “pass a bipartisan bill.”
Both chamber leaders had previously agreed that a continuing resolution is necessary to avoid shutdown, but progress on such a bill has been hindered by the more conservative House Freedom Caucus.
The Caucus has collectively agreed to oppose any government funding measure until significant demands have been met.
Some of these items include bolstered security at the border, ending woke policies in the Pentagon such as fully paid gender reassignment surgeries, and addressing the “weaponization” of the Justice Department.