Congressional Dysfunction, Executive Spending Control, and Oversight Challenges

McConnell’s absence, ethics resignations, a razor-thin majority, and procedural conflict continue to stall appropriations, FISA, defense, and other major legislation. The administration’s attempted pocket rescission of $810 million Congress appropriated has triggered a lawsuit by seven states, while GAO concluded funds could not expire during Congress’s statutory review period; Republican Appropriations Chair Susan Collins and Sen. Angus King also object. Congress faces a December 12 FY2027 funding deadline, an early-2027 Section 702 deadline, stalled immigration oversight, and limited time for AI legislation.