Skip to content

Rough-and-tumble September

CQ Budget, Episode No. 360

Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen derailed the Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill in a partisan standoff over a new FBI headquarters.
Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen derailed the Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill in a partisan standoff over a new FBI headquarters. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

The effort to avert a partial government shutdown next month could be uglier than usual after Congress left town for its August recess with partisan tensions at a fever pitch. As the Trump administration seeks to claw back funding, fights over Senate confirmations and the files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein all threaten to create a toxic brew that could derail the bipartisan appropriations process. CQ Roll Call’s Aidan Quigley and David Lerman outline the challenges facing Congress this fall.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

Photos of the week | May 5-14, 2026

Senate Banking approves crypto market structure bill

Supreme Court preserves telemedicine access to abortion drug

Judge weighs challenges to Trump order on mail voting limits

Rep. Max Miller files defamation lawsuit against ex-wife

Librarian should be chosen by Congress, House panel agrees