This week in Congress: Last-minute business before the midterms

Congress enters its final full week of work before the November elections with a short slate of hearings but a long list of unfinished business.

Lawmakers are expected to vote on a 12-week budget extension by the end of the week in order to avoid a partial government shutdown that would begin on Oct. 1. The full year funding plan for fiscal 2023 is still unfinished, and serious negotiations on that plan likely won’t take place until after the election.

The House is scheduled to leave Washington, D.C. until mid-November, but the Senate’s break is only set to last one week before lawmakers return for a brief pre-election slate of work. Senate leaders have already said they’ll use floor time over that period to advance the annual defense authorization bill.

That must-pass legislation, which includes pay authorizations and spending policy items for the Defense Department, has already passed the House and is expected to be finalized before the end of December.

In Other News

Troops to get an average housing allowance boost of over 5% in 2025

The new rates take effect Jan. 1.

Trump says he’ll begin Jan. 6 pardons ‘the first hour’ in office

Trump said he would look at each individual case, rather than issue a blanket pardon for all Jan. 6 defendants.

Navy to cut boot camp from 10 weeks to nine

The Navy is revamping its curriculum to “eliminate redundant training."

Army to cut credentialing benefit, drop officers from program

The cap for credentialing reimbursements through the Army program will drop from $4,000 to $2,000 in coming months.

Medical care limits for transgender minors complicate defense bill

A provision in the must-pass defense measure would block certain military medical care options for transgender youth.

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