This summer, Republicans in Congress achieved a significant victory by passing President Donald Trump’s proposed tax and spending cuts, which he referred to as the “big, beautiful law,” without a single Democratic vote in support.
However, as Congress members return to Washington this fall after a month-long August recess, Republicans will need to find a way to work alongside Democrats—or seek ways to bypass them—amid the looming threat of a government shutdown.
The annual spending battle is set to be a top priority for September, alongside a potential effort by Senate Republicans to alter chamber rules to counteract Democratic obstruction tactics regarding nominations.
The Senate is also expected to debate whether to move forward with legislation imposing high tariffs on certain trade partners of Russia, as the U.S. continues to apply pressure on President Vladimir Putin concerning Ukraine.
In the House of Representatives, Republicans will continue their investigations into former President Joe Biden while House Speaker Mike Johnson seeks to manage a divide within his party over whether the Trump administration should release additional documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.