House GOP Pushes Packed Agenda Before August Recess

Republican leaders in the House are racing to clear several high-profile measures before a month-long recess. The schedule includes a short-term stopgap funding bill to keep federal agencies operating at current levels through Dec. 4, a budget resolution that would launch a third reconciliation package, a bill to restrict congressional stock purchases, and the long-delayed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). With only three of the twelve FY 2027 appropriations bills passed and the Senate yet to approve any, lawmakers face a narrow window before the Sept. 30 fiscal deadline.

The Hill

The proposed reconciliation framework earmarks $73 billion for defense and intelligence, $12 billion for agriculture aid, and $10 billion for a fund to help states implement the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, which requires proof of citizenship and ID for federal voting. Critics note the plan lacks offsets for the new spending. House Freedom Caucus policy chair Chip Roy warned that the proposal “fails to offset the proposed spending, the inability to address other critical conservative priorities, and the lack of certainty regarding the final treatment of the SAVE America Act.” He added that any legislation must “include the full SAVE America Act as a mandatory requirement at each and every stage.”

The Hill

A bill introduced by House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil would bar members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from buying new stocks while allowing the sale of existing holdings, with a required public notice seven days before any sale. Steil argued the measure is “critical to restoring the public’s trust in their elected officials. If you want to trade stocks, go to Wall Street, not Capitol Hill.” Democrats, however, contend the proposal falls short of a true ban. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said, “I want something to be very clear: That this bill that has been introduced by Republican leadership is not a congressional stock trading ban.”

The Hill

The annual defense policy bill, which funds the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy’s defense activities, remains stalled after a procedural vote was defeated by a group of House Republicans opposed to the SAVE America provision and a separate border bill. Senate Democrats have also delayed their version, citing the renewed conflict with Iran and the absence of a formal war authorization from former President Trump.

The Hill

• “the failure to offset the proposed spending, the inability to address other critical conservative priorities, and the lack of certainty regarding the final treatment of the SAVE America Act.” — Chip Roy, R-Texas, House Freedom Caucus policy chair

The Hill

• “As this legislation moves through the House and Senate, my support will depend on several factors. First and foremost, it must include the full SAVE America Act as a mandatory requirement at each and every stage, not merely an optional policy incentivized through funding. Preserving the integrity of the original legislation is essential,” — Chip Roy

The Hill

• “Obviously, I’m a fiscal hawk, but I have to see what the math is because I haven’t seen it yet,” — Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga.

The Hill

• “This legislation is critical to restoring the public’s trust in their elected officials. If you want to trade stocks, go to Wall Street, not Capitol Hill,” — Bryan Steil, R-Wis.

The Hill

• “I want something to be very clear: That this bill that has been introduced by Republican leadership is not a congressional stock trading ban,” — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

The Hill

• “It was written by and for the absolute wealthiest members of Congress to look like they are passing a ban, but … it actually creates a ton of new [avenues] by which they can own, buy and sell stock in even greater shadows from public opinion. … They can call it whatever they want, but it is not a stock trading ban,” — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The Hill