Congress Faces Slim Fall To-Do List Ahead of Midterms
With the House set to recess after one week and the Senate lacking consensus on major priorities, lawmakers are unlikely to tackle issues like student athlete pay, surveillance powers, or cryptocurrency regulation before the November elections. A continuing resolution already funds the government through December, reducing pressure for legislative action. Senate Republicans released a revised crypto bill with ethics provisions ahead of a procedural vote, but passage remains uncertain.
The Senate's immediate test is a procedural vote on a revised cryptocurrency bill, which now includes ethics restrictions for federal officials and judges. Majority Leader Thune previously doubted reaching 60 votes, though the new amendment may shift dynamics. Treasury Secretary Bessent warned that stalling could signal weakness to allies and adversaries on digital asset leadership and national security tools.
The second priority, a college athlete NIL bill, was stalled in August despite bipartisan efforts from Cruz and Cantwell. The House's one-week session likely matches the 2014 record for earliest election-year departure. The Congressional Women's Softball Game will occur during recess, underscoring the minimal legislative workload. With government funded through December, little compels action.
The slim agenda could leave college athletes without a federal standard for NIL compensation, perpetuating state-by-state disparities. Cryptocurrency markets may face continued regulatory ambiguity, affecting investors and innovation. An early recess may reduce accountability and oversight, while partisan votes could deepen public cynicism. However, the continuing resolution prevents a shutdown, offering temporary stability. Overall, voters may see limited legislative progress, potentially influencing turnout and perceptions of government effectiveness.