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The Senate returns to session this evening, and the House joins tomorrow
After an eventual two-week Easter Recess, the Senate returns to session this evening, and the House joins tomorrow. The news cycle during the recess was primarily dominated by the Iran War and the resulting economic and diplomatic fallout.
Heavy rains and tornado-like winds
The District of Columbia retreated indoors today when threatened with heavy rains and tornado-like winds. Such was the level of concern that the House cancelled its Monday vote series. The House is in after a week-long recess; the Senate returns for another week.
Primary season starts tomorrow
The House has a short week this week, voting on Wednesday and Thursday of this week after cancelling votes on Tuesday and Friday. The Senate will convene later today. Primary season also starts tomorrow with Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina on the ballot. Mississippi and Illinois will take place later this month.
A fairly quiet week
It is a fairly quiet week legislatively, as the State of the Union slows activity on the House floor due to added security measures.
A good amount of back-and-forth this week
The focus this week continues to be on DHS funding. Last week, Congress passed appropriations bills for all other agencies, with an agreement to work on an agreement on changes to ICE procedures. That deadline expires on Friday, so we expect a good amount of back-and-forth this week.
Looking forward to the Winter Olympics
We are looking forward to the Winter Olympics, beginning this Friday, February 6th. If you are looking for a thrill, tune in to the biathlon—any event, really, but the relay is particularly exciting.
The House of Representatives is in session this week; the Senate is in recess.
The House Financial Services Committee will hold its first markup of 2026 this Thursday, with measures related financial reporting, artificial intelligence, bank tailoring, and terrorism risk insurance reauthorization.
First week of the session for both chambers
We are returning after the holiday break and first week of session for both chambers. Last week, the House advanced a partial funding package that will be considered in the Senate.
Happening this week, finally.
The US Senate will take up the confirmation of 97 nominees under the new Senate rule that permits considering nominees together rather than individually. Included in this group will be Travis Hill to be Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Michael Selig to be the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Welcome to December
Due to the angle of the sun in relation to the Earth, it is colder in December than in March when the spring equinox occurs. Regardless, it looks and feels like winter here in the nation’s capital.
Back to work
The government is reopened and the House and Senate are back to work, at least until Thursday. The House and Senate are in recess next week for Thanksgiving and return on December 2.
Progress
Last night, the Senate voted 60-40 to take up a package that would reopen the federal government and fund parts of the government for FY26. Included in the package are three of the 12 annual appropriations bills, including Military Construction and Veteran Affairs, Agriculture, and the Legislative Branch.
Fighting the wrong battle
The federal government has entered the second month of FY 2026 without a passing any appropriations bills so the government remains closed for the most part. If the shutdown continues until Wednesday, which it most certainly will, we will break the record for the longest federal government shutdown.
Wishing you clear skies
Tomorrow night's new moon should provide a dark sky for viewing two comets, Lemmon and SWAN, which will be closest to the earth in our lifetimes. Commet Lemmon will not make its way around to earth for another 1300 years and Comet SWAN for another 700 years.
Super Harvest Moon!
Tonight is the Harvest Moon and the first of three Super Moons this year. It is the Harvest moon because it is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox.
Shutdown Week?
With the end of FY 2025 looming on Tuesday at midnight, all indications are that Congress will fail to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funding into FY 2026.
Welcome to Fall
Today marks the end of summer with the autumnal equinox. I am always a bit melancholy about the end of summer; fall is also a lovely if you ignore the shorter days and the ubiquitous pumpkin spice.
15 days from the end of the fiscal year
We are 15 days from the end of the fiscal year. The House is expected to release a short-term Continuing Resolution later this week that will fund the federal government through November 20th.
The last scheduled session week before the August break
This is the last scheduled session week before the August break for the House of Representatives; the Senate is in next week and then set to break. However, President Trump has urged the Senate to stay in session and work to confirm nominees.
“Crypto Week”
In DC, this week has been dubbed “Crypto Week” with multiple digital asset bills up for floor consideration in the House. We will be keeping an eye on those vote tallies.