As Congress reconvenes, the threat of a government shutdown looms large, compounded by contentious negotiations over President Donald Trump’s latest initiatives and the resurfacing of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Lawmakers face a critical deadline on September 30 to secure a funding agreement, but the path forward is fraught with political landmines.

Senate GOP leaders are advocating for a temporary funding measure to extend negotiations, but this proposal is meeting resistance from conservative factions who demand a full-year funding bill aligned with Republican priorities. The situation was further complicated when President Trump unilaterally retracted approximately $5 billion in foreign aid, straining the already delicate bipartisan relations. In response, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Republican cooperation, emphasizing the need to counterbalance what he describes as Trump's slide toward authoritarianism.

Adding to the legislative drama is the upcoming battle over the Jeffrey Epstein files. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are spearheading a discharge petition to force a vote on the release of these documents. With the Department of Justice beginning to disclose related files, momentum for transparency is building. Representative Riley Moore’s (R-W.Va.) support for the petition signals a growing challenge to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership.

On another front, President Trump is pressuring Congress to expedite the creation of a comprehensive crime bill and to extend his controversial 30-day takeover of the D.C. police force, which is set to expire on September 9. These moves have met stiff resistance, particularly from Senate Democrats, who are poised to block any attempts at extension.

Further complicating the legislative agenda are discussions on a potential ban on congressional stock trading. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) has threatened to initiate a discharge petition if GOP leaders do not act by the end of the month. Meanwhile, bipartisan lawmakers are working on a compromise proposal, though it has yet to gain official support from GOP leadership.

Senate Republicans also plan to revisit talks on streamlining the confirmation process for Trump’s nominees. Proposals under consideration include reducing debate times, grouping nominees for collective confirmations, and possibly eliminating procedural votes.

As appropriations committees resume work—with the House Rules considering the fiscal 2026 Energy-Water funding bill and a subcommittee marking up the Labor-HHS-Education funding bill—Congress faces a packed and polarizing agenda. With multiple high-stakes issues at play, the coming weeks are critical for shaping the legislative landscape and averting a government shutdown.