Key Dates
October 1, 2022 (Fiscal Year 2023 Begins): 22 days
November 8, 2022 (Election Day): 60 days
November 9, 2022 (Senate Returns for “Lame Duck” Session): 61 days
November 14, 2022 (House Returns for “Lame Duck” Session): 66 days
December 15, 2022 (Target Adjournment of 117th Congress): 95 days
The Senate was back in session this week after their summer recess, and the House returns next week. There is a lot on the Congressional “to do” list before they leave again for the campaign trail in October. Here’s what you might have missed, as well as what is to come.
Funding the Government. The fiscal year ends September 30 – 21 days from today. Congress will need to pass a temporary continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded, because there is no agreement between House and Senate on the regular FY23 appropriations bills. The temporary extension is expected to keep the government funded through December 16 so we can also look ahead to a lively lame duck session after the election and before the New Year and new Congress.
Administration Requests Supplemental Funds. President Biden has asked Congress for an additional $47.1 billion in emergency funds (or “anomalies”), parts of which will face opposition from Republicans, especially additional COVID-19 and monkeypox aid. There’s also a push by Democratic leadership to include environmental permitting reform legislation to the CR, though this will likely cause objections by progressive Democrats.
Same-Sex Marriage Bill Vote in the Offing. Though Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had floated including this vote in the CR, objections from both proponents and detractors caused a pivot to a standalone vote. The bill’s sponsors – Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) – are optimistic that there will be 60 votes on the measure. The vote is expected the week of September 19.
Trump-era Tariffs Remain in Place. Late last Friday, the Biden Administration said it will keep Trump-era tariffs in place while it continues a review of the duties. The Administration said it had received feedback from stakeholders underscoring the importance of not upending them.
