Both chambers return to work this week, though House leadership has cancelled votes for the weeks of September 21 and September 28. That leaves the House four session days, September 14 through 17, against three weeks for the Senate, whose own recess does not begin until October 5. Neither chamber is scheduled back until after the November 3 election, though leadership has said the House could be recalled if the Senate moves a budget resolution. Their work is certainly cut out for them when they return.

Raising the Debt Ceiling:

The federal debt topped $40 trillion for the first time in August, meaning lawmakers will likely have to lift the $41.1 trillion statutory ceiling within the next year. This could take place during the post-election lame-duck session through a budget reconciliation, as some rumors indicate. Otherwise, it would require the ever more difficult bi-partisan effort should the Democrats take the House and or the Senate after the midterms.

Government Funding Runs to December 11:

On Tuesday, September 1, the House voted 370 to 48 to accept the Senate's continuing resolution. This is the tool Congress uses to keep the government funded when it has not finished the 12 annual appropriations bills on time. The dollar amounts stay the same; only the expiration date moves. This one moves it to December 11, setting up what will likely be a contentious lame-duck fight for government funding.

Farm Bill Extension Expires at the End of the Month:

The current farm bill extension runs out on September 30. The Agricultural Act of 2026 failed in the Senate Agriculture Committee on a 10 to 11 vote on August 6, though Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) recessed the markup rather than adjourning it, keeping the bill alive.

The bill matters to NEFI members because it rewrites parts of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Under that program, refiners must blend renewable fuel or buy credits called RINs. Small refineries may petition EPA for exemptions, and EPA decides whether to reallocate the exempted gallons to everyone else. Those decisions drive biofuel RIN values, which sit inside the price of every gallon of biofuel-blended product our members buy. EPA finalized a 70 percent reallocation for 2023 through 2025 in April, then granted 29 full or partial exemptions for 2025 in August.

Beginning in 2027, the bill would replace annual petitions with a fixed formula and require reallocation above the first 500 million gallons yearly. It also authorizes year-round E15.

On the House Floor This Week:

The House will take up two Congressional Review Act resolutions. H.J. Res. 210 from Representative Vince Fong (R-CA) and H.J. Res. 213 from Representative James Gallagher (R-CA). A CRA resolution is the tool Congress uses to erase an agency action by simple majority, after which the agency cannot issue a substantially similar rule without new legislation. These would disapprove EPA decisions authorizing two California Air Resources Board programs, the At Berth rule covering ocean going vessels including tankers, and the Commercial Harbor Craft rule, which reaches ferries, workboats, and tank barges. NEFI signed a multi-industry letter on September 3 urging Congress to disapprove these and four other California waivers EPA transmitted in June and July. Neither Senate companion, S.J. Res. 209 or S.J. Res. 210, has moved out of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

Also on the floor are the Senate's amendments to the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (H.R. 5334), which the Senate passed 86 to 11 on August 7, carrying duties of up to 500 percent on Russian petroleum products and secondary duties on the largest buyers of Russian crude. EIA cited Russian supply losses last week in raising its 2026 diesel forecast to $5.07 a gallon. Under suspension, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025 (H.R. 2140) reauthorizes the grant program that helps fleets replace older diesel engines, and four grid bills coming up, including the Load Forecasting Enhancement Act (H.R. 9332). Last votes are expected by 3:00 Thursday afternoon, and that is the last scheduled House vote before the election.

Committee Hearings of Interest:

• House Natural Resources Committee will hold a full committee markup. Today at 10:15 AM, 1324 Longworth (details here).
   
• Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a business meeting to consider the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act (S. 3135) and the Modernizing Outdated Regulations to Expand American Fuel Act of 2026 (S. 5249). Tomorrow at 9:30 AM, 406 Dirksen (details here). 
   
• House Agriculture Committee will hold a full committee hearing on "Increasing Demand and Opportunities for Homegrown Products Here and Abroad." Tomorrow at 9:30 AM, 1300 Longworth (details here).
   
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on pending legislation. Tomorrow at 10:00 AM, 366 Dirksen (details here).