Government shutdown looms as Congress returns after monthlong August recess The Associated Press August 31, 2025, 11:42
Government shutdown looms as Congress returns after monthlong August recess
The Associated Press
August 31, 2025, 11:42 AM
Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed President Donald Trumps big beautiful bill of tax and spending cuts without a single Democratic vote. But as they return to Washington this fall after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats or around them as a government shutdown looms.
The annual spending battle will dominate the September agenda, along with a possible effort by Senate Republicans to change their chambers rules to thwart Democratic stalling tactics on nominations. The Senate is also debating whether to move forward on legislation that would slap steep tariffs on some of Russias trading partners as the U.S. pressures Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.
In the House, Republicans will continue their investigations of former President Joe Biden while Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a split in his conference over whether the Trump administration should release more files in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
A look at what Congress will be doing as lawmakers return from the August break:
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