The House returned yesterday for the first time since the start of the August recess. The Senate will not be back until September 14.

On the House Floor This Week:

The House will take up H.R. 6500, the continuing resolution the Senate passed 90 to 6 on August 8, which would fund the government at current levels through December 11. Leadership has placed it under suspension of the rules, which means it needs two thirds of those voting rather than a simple majority. Suspension also bars amendments, so the fights over THC-infused hemp products and the federal grant approval rule cannot reach the floor, but the bill also cannot pass without a sizable bloc of Democratic votes. Last votes are expected by 3:00 Thursday afternoon.

The House will also consider the Protecting Domestic Mining Act (H.R. 1501), the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act (H.R. 4795), H.R. 1490 a resolution condemning socialism, and the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act (H.R. 9436). Members will also take up two contempt of Congress resolutions and a possible censure vote.

On the Horizon:

Government funding is the dominant question. If the House passes H.R. 6500 this week, current funding is extended through December 11 and the debate shifts to the full-year appropriations bills for FY 2027. If it comes up short of the two-thirds that suspension requires, Congress has 30 days to find another answer, and the Senate will be out of town for half of them.

Committee Hearings of Interest:

House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains will hold a hearing on "Fueling the Golden Age: Future Resource Needs and Small Business Opportunity." Tomorrow at 10:00 AM (details here).

House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs will hold a hearing on "No Flame, More Pain: How State and Local Bans on Natural Gas Increase Costs." Tomorrow at 10:00 AM (details here).

House Ways and Means Committee will hold a full committee hearing on Strategic Partnerships to Secure Critical Resources and Supply Chains. Tomorrow at 10:00 AM (details here).