The legislative branch of the United States government known as Congress is responsible for enacting laws that influence our daily lives. Congress’s responsibilities include funding government functions and programs, holding hearings to inform the legislative process, and oversight of the executive branch. Congress is the only constitutionally authorized legislative body in the United States. Article I of the Constitution established Congress to enact laws that reflect the wishes of the people and represent their views, as well as to serve as a voice of the people by evaluating executive actions and acting as a check on the executive branch.
Congress is less than a month away from its Sept. 30 deadline to pass the dozen funding bills that keep federal cash flowing each year. With Republicans in the House pushing partisan policies and deep budget cuts in their funding measures, a funding lapse could be imminent.
The appropriations landscape is complicated by the fact that discord within the Republican caucus and rules established by the Senate parliamentarian are set to thwart the GOP’s ability to approve a massive megabill. The parliamentarian has determined that several provisions in the bill, including work requirements for some able-bodied adults and a ban on Medicaid coverage of gender transition services, violate Senate rules.