When Congress returns after Labor Day, several policy matters and funding bills need immediate attention, such as passing a short-term funding bill by September 30 to avoid a government shutdown. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its temporary funding bill, aka Continuing Resolution (CR), on December 4, while the U.S. Senate passed its CR on December 11.

The major policy difference is that the Senate’s CR extends funding for surface transportation programs until December, while the House CR does not. Without Congressional action, those transportation programs are set to expire on September 30. In addition, several major programs also are set to expire on September 30 unless Congress approves short-term funding extensions for the Farm Bill, which recently failed in the Senate Agriculture Committee over funding benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), military funding dedicated to the war in Iran, and appropriations included in Division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which includes funding for rail, energy, water, and environmental programs.

Other policy matters to be considered by Congress prior to the November Midterm Elections include: the Clarity Act, which establishes a framework for the regulation of cryptocurrency; the Save America Act, which creates proof of citizenship to register for federal elections; and the Protect College Sports Act, which establishes a unified federal standard for name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules in collegiate athletics. With a tight 14-day legislative window to pass government funding bills and to navigate critical policy matters, little time is left to complete these important policy matters by the September 30 deadline.

Mark Your Calendar for the 2027 Federal Legislative Fly-in: Feb 23-24, 2027

Speaking of Congress, don’t forget to mark your calendars to attend the NASBP and SFAA Federal Legislative Fly-in on February 23 and 24, 2027. The 2027 Fly-in will take place once again at the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill, starting in the afternoon of Tuesday, February 23 with the “Washington Program” followed by the evening welcome reception. Congressional visits will take place on Wednesday, February 24. Additional information will be provided later this fall.