September's Congressional Agenda: What to Expect

As lawmakers return to Capitol Hill on September 9 after a month-long recess, they find themselves faced with an ambitious to-do list and a tight deadline. The key challenge is the September 30 deadline to fund the government by passing new spending bills or agreeing to an extension. Other agenda items include China, defense, and agriculture, all under the shadow of the upcoming election.

Government Funding and the Spending Bill

The top priority for Congress is to pass a bill by September 30 that funds the government for the fiscal year 2025, or face a government shutdown. However, it is likely that Congress will miss the deadline and will need to resort to passing a “continuing resolution” (CR), which temporarily funds the government at levels set for the previous year without authorizing new spending.

Currently, the composition of the CR is causing divisions in Congress, leading to fears of a stalemate and a shutdown. Republicans want to include in the CR a bill known as the SAVE Act, which Democrats oppose. The SAVE Act would require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration, a measure Republicans argue is necessary amid high levels of illegal immigration. Democrats, however, argue the bill would disenfranchise American citizens for minor clerical errors during voter registration.

The House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act on July 10, with 216 Republicans and five Democrats voting in favor. Many Senate Democrats, who control the body, have not publicly opposed the SAVE Act, though they are unlikely to accept a CR that includes it.

China and Defense

The House plans to address a series of bills aimed at curbing the existential threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as part of Republican leadership’s “China Week” initiative. More than 30 China-related bills under consideration cover a wide range of topics, including protecting U.S. farmland, trade secrets, critical infrastructure, and advanced technology.

Several of these bills simply order studies into an issue, with some matters requiring more action—like restricting outbound investment to China and ending the de minimis privilege (which exempts shipments under $800 from tariffs) on Chinese goods—left out entirely.

Other bills passed by the lower chamber include banning sales of crude oil from America’s strategic petroleum reserves to China, and prohibiting Chinese entities from taking contracts on building U.S. diplomatic posts.

National Defense Authorization Act

Congress is also expected to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual Pentagon blueprint. Partisan riders attached to the wide-ranging bill, including measures addressing abortion and gender transitioning, could fuel debates slowing the bill’s passage. The divided House and Senate will also have to reconcile their different NDAA proposals before they can send a final bill to the president’s desk.

Bottom Line

September promises to be a busy month in Congress, with lawmakers grappling with key issues such as government funding, China, and defense. Each of these issues carries significant implications for the future of the United States. As the public, it's important to stay informed and engaged with these developments. What are your thoughts on these upcoming Congressional debates? Share this article with your friends and continue the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, available every day at 6pm.