Lawmakers have until Sept. 30 to push the federal government’s 12 appropriations bills through both chambers of Congress before a forced shutdown or the necessary passage of a continuing resolution (CR). With the House already out for August after passing two of their twelve appropriations bills, the Senate is trying to get through a package with three appropriations bills before departing. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) has floated keeping the Senate in session beyond the initial recess start date to make progress on the appropriations process.
Significant timing challenges lie ahead, especially as potential White House recessions on the prior year’s funding threaten negotiations for FY2026.
Hill Activity Last Week
The House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittees on Health and Oversight held a joint hearing on July 22 to analyze two decades of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. While both parties agreed that MA is popular, valued by seniors, and likely to remain a core part of Medicare, committee Republicans focused on MA as an efficient, cost-effective alternative to traditional Medicare that offers enhanced benefits and programs. Committee Democrats support efforts to reduce waste in MA and framed the discussion in the context of broader Republican health policy proposals that would destabilize health systems, raise costs, reduce coverage, and disproportionately harm vulnerable populations, including communities of color and low-income seniors.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on patient safety within the organ procurement and transplant system. There was broad bipartisan agreement that urgent reforms are needed to protect patient safety within the system and shared recognition that fragmented federal oversight has contributed to systemic failures, with Republicans focusing more heavily on aggressive enforcement and Democrats emphasizing systemic equity, modernization, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Committee Activity This Week
The Senate is in session Monday through Thursday this week. The House has left for August recess.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold an executive session on Wednesday, July 30, at 10 am ET, to consider several bills, including S. 2301, Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025. The committee will also hold a full committee hearing on Thursday, July 31, at 10 am ET, titled, “Making Health Care Affordable: Solutions to Lower Costs and Empower Patients.”
The Senate Committee on Finance will hold a full committee hearing on Thursday, July 31, at 10 am ET, to consider several of the Trump Administration’s nominations, including the positions of assistant secretary and general counsel within the HHS.
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