Senate Adjourns with Long List of Unfinished Business
Published Friday, October 2, 2026
The U.S. Senate adjourned Sept. 30 after confirming Keith Sonderling as labor secretary on a party-line vote. Senators return Nov. 9 for a postelection “lame-duck” session—the period after an election but before the newly elected Congress takes office in January.
Lawmakers will return to a lengthy to-do list, including permitting reform to streamline National Environmental Policy Act reviews of energy projects such as interstate power lines, annual defense reauthorization and an extension of expired Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorities.
On the final day before recess, senators also considered proposals to shield utility ratepayers from energy costs associated with data centers, require voter identification and ban stock trading among lawmakers. The Senate did not reach agreement to proceed on any of the measures.
The U.S. House adjourned Sept. 16 for the campaign season and plans to return after the election. Both chambers will need to address fiscal year 2027 funding bills or pass another continuing resolution before the current funding measure expires Dec. 11.
Staff contact: Bryan Little, blittle@cfbf.com.
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