The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business.
Catching Up With Congress. Lawmakers returned to Washington, D.C., this week, following the July 4th recess and with the clock ticking down on the 119th Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to remain at work in D.C. through July 23, 2026, while the U.S. Senate is scheduled to stay the course through August 7, 2026. The House will return from Congress’s traditional annual August recess on August 31, 2026—but then promptly leave for a five-day Labor Day recess the week beginning September 7 (returning to action on September 14)—while the Senate is slated to return on September 14, 2026.
What does all this mean? Since Republicans control both chambers of Congress, they will try to use this period to advance a legislative agenda that they believe will improve their chances of success in the midterm elections, which are now only 109 days away. (Election Day is November 3, 2026.) Accordingly, they will try to move a third reconciliation bill (employing the same process they used to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025 and the immigration funding package earlier this year), which could include earmarks for defense spending and farm subsidies, as well as certain election reform elements. Moreover, as discussed below, the agenda will prioritize advancing agency nominees...
Baseless claims that former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger gave a speech on eugenics and forcible vaccinations to the World Health Organisation (WHO) have recirculated online. The posts alle...