Guess Who’s Back (Back, Back)

Back again from a five-week recess, the Senate and House face a full to-do list ahead of midterms.

Here’s what’s on the agenda:

• Finding a compromise on the (currently stalled) National Defense Authorization Act, which sets military policy and spending levels;
• Reauthorizing the Farm Bill (funds agricultural programs and SNAP) before its September 30 expiration;
• Addressing concerns over AI regulations as industry leaders raise alarms;
• A crypto framework bill snagged in debate over how strictly to enforce conflict-of-interest rules on President Trump’s holdings; and
• A stalled bipartisan college sports bill that would set guardrails for how athletes get paid for their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

Also back: Sen. McConnell (R-KY) after a months-long, health-related absence. The House breaks again next week, and the Senate in three weeks, to campaign ahead of November.

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PRAY WITH US
Righteous Lawgiver, give wisdom to our fallen leaders legislating in a fallen world, so that they might manage sin-caused challenges with dignity and skill. Direct their steps so they direct a diverse country toward flourishing and peace. Give them insight into the needs of their constituents so they might serve out of love instead of performing for gain. Give them favor among colleagues, so they might earn trust and negotiate in good faith.

And when they disagree on the best way forward, may they model gentleness, respect, and humility, creatively compromising to bring about the good of the public. Strengthen them for long, hard days. Thank you for those who serve with humility and skill, and thank you for our representative, Jesus, whose purifying work cleanses us from the inside out so we might walk in obedience to Your law. Amen. (read full prayer here)