House prioritizes stopgap funding bill to avert government shutdown

The House of Representatives returned on August 31, 2026, after a five-week recess, prioritizing a stopgap funding bill to prevent a government shutdown before the midterm elections. The bill aims to keep the federal government funded through early December. Additionally, the House may vote on a censure for Rep. Chuck Edwards due to unprofessional conduct and consider a Senate-passed sanctions bill against Russia and Iran.