Fall Policy Priorities Preview

05 Sep Fall Policy Priorities Preview

The Senate returns to Washington this month with a long to-do list, with a main focus on the September 30th deadline to avoid a government shutdown, but also the need to address national defense funding and reauthorize multiple other programs facing expiration. Prior to the August recess, both chambers were making progress on some of these must-pass items, including the passage of appropriations bills by the respective committees in the House and Senate, as well as each chamber’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The appropriations negotiations will bring into focus promises made by House Speaker McCarthy (R-CA) during his campaign to be Speaker of the House and again in late May when working to pass the deal to suspend the debt ceiling. For a third time this year, he will have to navigate the competing demands from all corners of the House Republican caucus, while also engaging with Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) and the White House.

Beyond September, we provide a preview of various other topics we expect to be prioritized on Capitol Hill and by the Administration for the remainder of 2023. Among other things, this includes a busy hearing schedule for both the Senate Banking Committee (SBC) and the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC), Federal Reserve nominations in the Senate, and multiple efforts focused on China following the focus on outbound investment in the Senate NDAA and President Biden’s Executive Order (EO).