Congressional Funding, Budget, Oversight, and Partisan Clashes
Key Questions
What funding measures has the House passed recently?
The House passed a $70 billion ICE funding bill by a 214-212 vote, which was signed by President Trump. Other measures include Ukraine aid via discharge petition and ongoing debates over defense and farm bills.
What is the status of the SAVE Act in Congress?
House GOP is exploring reconciliation to advance the SAVE Act amid a failed rule vote and slim majority challenges. Local election officials, mostly Republicans, have called the bill unworkable, complicating its Senate path.
How have midterm polls shifted ahead of 2026?
Emerson and other polls show Democrats with a +10 generic ballot advantage, though large undecided blocs remain. Battleground maps are sharpening and prediction markets favor a split Congress.
What happened with the housing affordability bill?
The Senate passed an affordability bill 85-5, but Trump threatened a veto over SAVE Act linkage. The bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act became law without his signature, giving cities new tools to build homes.
What budget and deficit pressures face Congress?
The U.S. deficit reached $1.4 trillion with interest costs at $723 billion, constraining spending. The Pentagon requested $350 billion in reconciliation funds while the White House seeks $87.6 billion for Iran war costs.
Why has FISA Section 702 stalled?
The warrantless surveillance tool expired amid GOP internal splits, with Sen. Tillis also blocking veteran benefits legislation. Only 24-28 session days remain before midterms, deepening gridlock.
What bipartisan efforts are advancing on Social Security and opioids?
A bipartisan Social Security solvency bill has gained support, while Sens. Shaheen and Hassan reintroduced a $65 billion opioid response plan. Insulin legislation is also moving forward.
How are voter registration trends evolving in key states?
GOP registration surged in Florida while Democrats gained in Iowa. California made ballot seizure a felony, providing a model for other states to protect elections.
The House passed a bipartisan continuing resolution through December 11, but Senate action and final enactment remain unresolved. The 119th Congress has passed fewer laws than any two-year session in more than 50 years, leaving a large post-election agenda involving funding, defense, transportation, the Farm Bill, health care, and permitting. The disputed $810 million pocket rescissions and Harvard funding litigation continue testing executive control over appropriated funds, First Amendment limits, and federal-court jurisdiction.