The legislative branch of the United States federal government, which enacts laws and provides oversight of the executive branch. Congress is responsible for the funding of federal programs and projects, as well as conducting investigations into allegations of maladministration or wrongdoing.
The Senate wrapped up business Friday without a clear path forward for confirmations of dozens of President Donald Trump’s nominees and left for the weekend, as Majority Leader John Thune signaled he was skeptical an agreement would come together quickly. The stalemate came after the parliamentarian ruled that a measure to limit state spending on Medicaid infrastructure, as well as one preventing Medicare from covering gender transition services, didn’t comply with budget reconciliation rules.
In the House, Republicans are battling rowdy town halls as they try to sell voters on the massive tax and spending bill they passed this week. Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin had a particularly contentious meeting Thursday, with jeers and boos.
On Sunday, congressional leaders will try to use unanimous consent to assemble a minibus package of fiscal 2026 spending bills that would fund the Agriculture and Veterans Affairs departments and military construction projects. A fourth bill funding the FDA and Congress itself could also be included in the package, though that is less likely. The current government funding expires Sept. 30, and a stopgap measure will require a quick vote.