The House and Senate adjourned for the traditional August recess, and while members continued campaigning efforts in their districts, Washington got a lot quieter. However, the groundwork has been laid for a pretty active September. There are disagreements about funding to hash out, controversies around supporting military widows, and a looming historical turnover in November.
Money, Money, Money: A collective sigh of relief sounded across the Senate floor on August 8th when a funding stopgap was passed. Members can campaign in (relative) peace now that the chances of a government shutdown are less and less likely. The measure received bipartisan support with a vote of 90-6, and will keep the cash flowing until early December. However, it placed quite a few limitations on the administration and rejected some of Trump’s funding aims. An attempt to grant federal appointees more oversight over federal grants was denied; Democrats managed to ensure that no money will be diverted to Border Patrol; and the president’s request to use funds to build a new class of battleship was ignored. Finally, a national ban on intoxicating hemp products was delayed by a month, a move which outraged some Republican lawmakers concerned about the risks these products pose in vulnerable communities. Upon passing the measure, the chamber was emptied for an extended break. In order to enact the stopgap, the House will have to pick up where the Senate left off when they return to Washington.
Russian Roulette: A bill that would impose harsher sanctions on Moscow and on countries that continue to purchase oil and other goods from Russia passed the Senate on August 7th with a vote of 86-11. It was introduced in April of 2025 by Senator Graham (RIP), who was an adamant voice for Ukraine.
The bill drew ire from several members. Democrats expressed concern that the legislation was merely a Trojan Horse that would allow Trump to continue imposing tariffs. Senator Warnock (D-GA) told The Hill “this bill in its current form gives the president a wide margin in the continuing advancement of his tariff regime, and I don’t have much evidence that he’s going to do what we need him to do.” Despite voting for the measure, Warnock introduced a series of reforms that would restrict the president’s tariff authority after the fact.
A lone voice among the GOP, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), in characteristic stubbornness, voiced his disapproval shortly after the bill was introduced in 2025, arguing that the sanctions will not stop Putin but could cause huge damage to our allies and America’s own economic stability. During the voting process, he introduced an amendment which would check the president’s ability to place (or, in some cases, waive) tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil. He was the only member of the GOP to vote against the bill.
The package is headed to the House after recess.
Widows’ Woes: Senator Moran (R-KS) introduced the Love Lives On Act back in 2025 to address the issue of payments to military widows. Hailed by Democrats and Republicans alike, the act would overturn a 70-year-old rule which states that military widows who remarry before the age of 55 will not be paid a monthly stipend or receive other benefits. Today, that stipend comes out to around 1,700 per month. The major issue, of course, is money. This reform would cost nearly $4 billion in the next ten years.
Senator Moran and Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) introduced the Take Care of America’s Veteran Act in June, part of which would cover the new expenses should Love Lives On be passed. The money would be diverted from veteran benefits for tinnitus and sleep apnea, and, in July, several lawmakers on both sides refused to go along with this funding idea. While the issue was not resolved before August, it’s certainly on the minds of House members and could face a new round of discussions when they return.
Turnover Time: The midterms are looming and it looks like Congress will be filled with lots of new faces. Around 71 members of Congress will not be running again. An unusually high number of members have been defeated in primaries. While a few Republicans have been ousted, the largest upset is in the Democrat party. A worrying trend of progressive revolts has pushed more establishment politicians out in favor of radical newcomers, similar to NYC’s Zohran Mamdani. It is likely a foreshadowing of an emerging and bolder strain of leftism in Democrat politics.
Applying Phyllis’s Philosophy Today
Radical left-wing politicians continue to break through the barriers of establishment Democrats. This does not bode well for the future of our politics and it can be very discouraging to see these trends unfold on American soil. Phyllis was dedicated to the understanding that American citizens matter, and that our efforts–in voting, campaigning, and participating in politics locally and nationally–help shape our country for us and for future generations: “ Only when you are active in the political party of your choice can you exercise your full privileges as an American citizen.”
