House abbreviated schedule punts defense, surveillance, farm bill and sanctions
House lawmakers are in town for one more week before the midterms, so time-sensitive items—including the defense bill, surveillance reauthorization, and farm bill—are punted to after the election. College sports and Russia sanctions likely face delay.
The House’s abbreviated schedule is likely to push a number of legislative items into the post-election period. Lawmakers are set to be in town for one more week before the midterms, while the Senate is scheduled to remain in session for another three weeks. That could leave time-sensitive measures including the annual defense policy bill, the reauthorization of lapsed warrantless surveillance programs and the farm bill for later. Action on college sports-related legislation and Russia sanctions is also expected to be delayed.
Some House Republicans are weighing a last-ditch attempt to pass another filibuster-circumventing budget bill if they lose the House, though it is unclear whether there will be enough appetite for that much post-election legislative work. Sen. ”