RAWNEWS What's breaking, and what's buried.
  edition 1 · all times ET
Politics

House agenda balances funding deadline with ethics fight

House lawmakers return Monday facing a stopgap funding vote, possible election-season measures and an ethics censure recommendation involving Rep. Chuck Edwards.

A close-up portrait of a man wearing glasses, a blue suit, striped tie, and U.S. flag lapel pin, with the Washington Monument visible in the blurred background. Photo: United States Congress via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Speaker Mike Johnson Official Portrait. File photo.

The Senate approved the stopgap funding measure by a 90-6 vote, according to ABC News US.

The proposal would keep the federal government financed through early December and reduce the risk of a shutdown before the midterm elections.

House members are scheduled to come back Monday after spending five weeks in their home districts.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to bring the measure forward near the start of the week.

Senate revisions were intended to make the legislation more acceptable to Democrats.

Those changes postpone a proposed Office of Management and Budget rule that would expand political appointees’ authority over federal grant distribution.

The bill also contains language intended to prevent the administration from moving money to the Border Patrol.

A separate provision delaying a federal prohibition on intoxicating hemp THC products for one month has drawn opposition from many GOP lawmakers.

GOP leaders are therefore expected to use an expedited procedure that skips a separate procedural vote.

Because a suspension bill needs support from two-thirds of the House, passage would require backing from a substantial number of lawmakers in both parties.

Members are eager to avoid another shutdown as voters prepare to make their choices in November, after two historic shutdowns occurred this past year.

The House could also eventually take up a Senate measure targeting parts of the Russian economy with sanctions.

The legislation would let President Donald Trump apply steep tariffs to imports from countries that purchase most of their Russian oil and gas, an effort led by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham to reduce revenue that Russian President Vladimir Putin uses to finance the war against Ukraine.

No House vote on that measure is set for this week, although supporters are seeking action before lawmakers depart to concentrate on reelection campaigns.

With election season beginning, Republicans are also expected to pursue a resolution condemning socialism as part of their November messaging.

The return also gives the House its first opportunity to consider a House Ethics Committee recommendation that Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., be censured over alleged persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female aides.

Edwards has rejected the committee’s finding that he failed to follow the spirit of rules against sexual harassment and unwanted advances, while highlighting its finding that there was no evidence he engaged in sexual activity or explicitly propositioned an employee.

The committee said Edwards gave the aides lavish, repeated gifts and invited them to intimate dinners, vacations and other activities, while commenting on their appearance and sending notes expressing strong affection.

Censure would signal the House’s serious disapproval without reaching the standard for expulsion, and Edwards abandoned his reelection plans after the committee report was released.

— 30 —

See something wrong? Request a correction