Lawmakers will be back on Capitol Hill on Sept. 9 after a monthlong recess to tackle a packed agenda with a looming deadline. Congress must fund the government by passing new spending bills or extending current ones by Sept. 30, in addition to addressing other pressing matters like China, defense, and agriculture. The upcoming election, just 57 days away, is also poised to influence their decisions and language. Here are five key points to monitor in September:
1. Spending: Congress must prioritize passing a bill to fund the government post-Sept. 30 to avoid a shutdown. However, disagreements over voting rights might hinder the bill’s passage, potentially necessitating a temporary solution like a continuing resolution (CR). The current divide centers on the inclusion of the “SAVE Act,” which demands proof of citizenship during voter registration. Republicans support it to combat illegal immigration, while Democrats fear its impact on voter enfranchisement.
2. China Bills: The House plans to unveil a series of bills aimed at countering threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on various fronts, from farmland protection to advanced technology. This initiative, dubbed “China Week,” aims to address issues like espionage, trade practices, and sovereignty in the face of CCP aggression. Rep. Tom Tiffany’s legislation is among these bills, seeking to counter a proposed pandemic treaty that could compromise U.S. sovereignty.
By returning to Capitol Hill, lawmakers face a tight deadline to address critical issues like government funding, China, and defense, all under the shadow of the upcoming election. 6 introduced a bill to provide emergency funding for the VA to prevent disruptions in services for veterans. The legislation would allocate $15 billion to cover the shortfall and ensure that veterans continue to receive the care and support they need.
The bill is expected to face opposition from Democrats who may push for additional measures or changes to the funding allocation. However, both parties have expressed a commitment to addressing the VA’s budget shortfall and ensuring that veterans are not left without essential services.
As Congress works to pass these and other crucial bills, the fate of key policy decisions and funding allocations hangs in the balance. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of government priorities and the impact on various sectors of society.
Six unveiled a bill to address some of the gaps in the VA’s budget. The bill allocates $2.2 billion for pensions and compensation costs, as well as nearly $600 million for payment readjustments. The majority of the $15 billion deficit, approximately $12 billion, is attributed to increasing medical expenses. It remains uncertain how Congress will address this shortfall.
The funding comes with conditions attached. If the bill is passed, VA Secretary Denis McDonough will have 30 days to present a report to the Appropriations and Veterans Affairs committees in both houses of Congress outlining changes to the organization’s budgeting and forecasting procedures.
Thirty days following that, a report must be submitted detailing the utilization of pension and compensation funds. Subsequent reports must be filed every 90 days until Sept. 30, 2026. Additionally, the bill requires an inquiry into the reasons for the shortfall by the VA inspector general.
In a letter to VA Secretary McDonough, Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) raised concerns about shifts in the VA’s fiscal policies, highlighting conflicting signals regarding staff downsizing. While the VA previously announced plans to reduce staff by 10,000, it is now requesting an additional 22,000 employees.
Bost attributed the budget deficit to “horrendous, top-to-bottom mismanagement,” and a committee hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10 to assess the VA’s management under the Biden-Harris administration. Please rewrite the following sentence: “The dog quickly ran across the street.” Can you rewrite this sentence for me?
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