Fall Legislative Preview: Congress Returns for Busy Fall Session

Congress Returns to Face Packed Agenda

Congress is returning to Washington, D.C., this week for a busy fall session that will include consideration of several major pieces of legislation. Among the top priorities for lawmakers are a bill to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year, a bill to raise the debt ceiling, and a bill to address the opioid crisis.

The government funding bill is necessary to avoid a government shutdown on October 1st. The debt ceiling bill is necessary to prevent the United States from defaulting on its debts. And the opioid crisis bill is necessary to address the growing problem of opioid addiction and overdose deaths.

In addition to these top priorities, Congress is also expected to consider a number of other issues, including immigration reform, gun control, and climate change.

Key Issues to Watch

Here is a closer look at some of the key issues that Congress will be considering during the fall session:

Government Funding

The government funding bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation that Congress must pass each year. The bill provides funding for all of the federal government's operations, including the military, education, and healthcare.

This year, the government funding bill is expected to be particularly contentious. Republicans and Democrats are far apart on spending levels, and there are a number of policy riders that each party wants to attach to the bill.

Debt Ceiling

The debt ceiling is the legal limit on how much money the United States can borrow.

The debt ceiling has been raised 78 times since 1960. However, the last time the debt ceiling was raised, in 2011, it led to a government shutdown and a downgrade of the United States' credit rating.

This year, the debt ceiling is expected to be reached sometime in October. If Congress does not raise the debt ceiling, the United States could default on its debts, which would have a devastating impact on the economy.

Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis is a public health emergency that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans.

Congress is considering a number of bills to address the opioid crisis, including measures to increase access to addiction treatment, to reduce the supply of opioids, and to provide support for law enforcement.

Outlook for the Fall Session

The fall session of Congress is expected to be a busy and contentious one. Lawmakers will be facing a number of difficult decisions, and it is unclear whether they will be able to reach consensus on many of the key issues.

However, it is clear that Congress needs to address a number of important issues during the fall session. The government funding bill, the debt ceiling, and the opioid crisis are all critical issues that need to be addressed.

It remains to be seen whether Congress will be able to come together and pass legislation to address these challenges. However, it is clear that the fall session will be a critical time for the country.