On this episode: Congress has returned from its summer recess, but the break has done little to ease the challenges on their plate. At the top of the agenda is a fast-approaching deadline to fund the government, with debates inside the Republican caucus shaping what kind of proposal might move forward. Democrats face their own set of pressures, balancing calls from within the party’s base for a tougher stance with concerns about being seen as responsible for a potential shutdown. These crosscurrents come at a moment when long-serving members like New York Democrat Jerry Nadler are beginning to step aside, raising broader questions about generational change and how leadership roles may shift in the coming years.
Beyond the funding debate, lawmakers are also navigating how best to explain sweeping legislation to voters back home, a task complicated by the sheer size and scope of recent bills. Discussions around security funding for Washington, D.C., add another layer of complexity, as members weigh policy details alongside political considerations. And then, of course, there’s the ongoing public pressure for greater transparency in the Epstein saga.
Together, these issues illustrate the crowded landscape on Capitol Hill and the many factors shaping the work of Congress this fall. POLITICO congressional reporter Nicholas Wu joins the show to help shed light on the hectic month ahead.
Check out some of our guest’s work: https://www.politico.com/staff/nicholas-wu
Learn more about the latest in Congress: https://ballotpedia.org/119th_United_States_Congress
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*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.