House Pitches Near-Term Funding Deal: What to Know in Washington

House leaders are ready to get serious about funding the government with a bill free of political baggage. But first, you should know:

• Kamala Harris is knocking Donald Trump over abortion bans in swing states like Georgia.
• Trump outlines his plan to lower business taxes and highlight buying American-made goods on Tuesday.
• Harris leads Trump in two national polls of registered voters released Sunday.

House Unveils Short-Term Spending Deal

Congressional leaders unveiled a stopgap funding bill Sunday to keep the government open through Dec. 20, as negotiators aim to avert an Oct. 1 shutdown.

The bill funds the government at existing spending levels, with few exceptions. The Secret Service would get extra money to protect presidential candidates after a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The measure excludes a GOP bill to require voters to show proof of citizenship, after Republicans failed to pass a previous version tied to a stopgap funding bill.

Lawmakers aim to vote by Wednesday on the measure, a House Republican leadership aide told reporters Sunday. The House Rules Committee meet today to consider the bill, according to the panel’s website.

In a letter to colleagues Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) described the continuing resolution as “a very narrow, bare-bones CR including only the extensions that are absolutely necessary.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’s pleased that bipartisan talks led to a deal “free of cuts and poison pills,” while saying Johnson and House Republicans “wasted precious time” earlier on. Read More

Read BGOV’s Congress Tracker for the complete breakdown of lawmaker’s daily legislative agenda and the politics driving it.

Editor’s Picks

Harris Outspends Trump by $5 Million a Day after Donor Surge

An influx of Wall Street and Silicon Valley donor support for Kamala Harrisis translating into a distinct campaign advantage to the tune of nearly $5 million a day, allowing her to go on offense against Republican Donald Trump.

Harris Shows Momentum in Two Polls While Swing States Stay Tight

Vice President Kamala Harris is leading Donald Trump in two national polls of registered voters released Sunday, underscoring her momentum as the US presidential candidates grapple for a boost with early voting underway in several states.

Threats to Local US Election Officials Rising, Workers Quitting

The four-year turnover rate among local election officials nationally jumped to 39% in 2022, from 28% in 2004. About 36% of local election officials say they’ve been harassed or abused because of their jobs, and 16% say they’ve been threatened. Some 70% of officials said threats have increased since 2020.

US Ports Are Threatened With Strikes in Election-Season Jolt

Some 45,000 dockworkers at every major eastern and Gulf coast port are threatening to strike Oct. 1, threatening the supply train and the economy. With talks at a stalemate since June, industry officials now believe a strike is inevitable, and ocean carriers and port operators have started sending out customer advisories and making contingency plans.

Failed Deals Climb as Antitrust Enforcers Push Aggressive Agenda

Firms attracting antitrust scrutiny are abandoning deals at their highest clip in years, as the Biden administration’s enforcers appear to make good on a policy pushing for more lawsuits and fewer settlements.

Harris Assails Trump Over Georgia Abortion Ban

Kamala Harris laid the death of a Georgia woman who couldn’t access a legal abortion on Donald Trump, and his role in the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

“This is a health-care crisis, and Donald Trump is the architect,” Harris said during a rally in Atlanta Friday, taking her pitch to protect women’s reproductive rights to a swing state where Democrats are using the issue to rally suburban women and independents.

“He brags about overturning Roe v. Wade. In his own words — quote — ‘I did it, and I’m proud to have done it,’” Harris continued, casting Trump as “proud that women are dying, proud that doctors and nurses could be thrown in prison for administering care, proud that young women today have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers.”

Harris referred to state restrictions on abortion rights as “Trump abortion bans” and said one in three women in America live under such laws. She assailed the former president for saying he would vote to preserve a Florida law that limited abortion in the state to the first six weeks of pregnancy. Read More

Happening on the Hill

New York GOP Peels Off Union Votes in Races Key to House Control

AFSCME NY and the national union are on different sides in a pivotal New York congressional race, highlighting the importance of the labor vote with control of Congress at stake.

Why the Corporate Minimum Tax Will Likely Survive a GOP Clawback

Getting rid of the corporate alternative minimum tax—hated by companies and many Republicans—will likely be harder than critics think.

Radiation Exposure Victims Return to Lobby House for More Money

Advocates for victims of cancer-causing radiation from the government’s nuclear testing return to Capitol Hill this week to lobby House leaders to bring to the floor legislation expanding federal benefits.

GOP Lawmakers Raise Pressure on Mark Robinson Over Report

Senators in his own party expressed concern Sunday about the scathing report on North Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial nominee, Mark Robinson, acknowledging the grave allegations against Donald Trump’s preferred candidate.

What Else We’re Reading

Georgia Risks Election Delays With Hand Counting of Votes

The Georgia State Election Board approved a controversial new rule requiring all ballots to be hand-counted at each of the state’s polling sites, just weeks before early voting is scheduled to start in the pivotal presidential swing state.

Harris Vows to Aid AI, Crypto Sectors in Pitch to NYC Donors

Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to help grow investment in artificial intelligence and crypto if elected, pitching her economic agenda to donors in New York City on Sunday as one that would bolster innovation and focus regulations on protecting consumers and investors.

Harris Campaign Hits Trump on Fed Comments Before Economy Speech

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign blasted Donald Trump for criticizing the Federal Reserve’s first rate cut in four years, keeping the focus on jockeying over the economy before the presidential election in November.

Trump to Outline ‘Plan to Lower Taxes’ on Sept. 24 in Savannah

Former President Donald Trump will deliver remarks on Tuesday outlining his plan to lower taxes for American business owners and highlight the importance of buying American-made goods, his campaign says in a statement.

Trump Says ‘Too Late’ for Debate After Harris Pitches CNN Forum

Donald Trump said it’s “too late” to hold another debate after Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign said she had accepted an invitation for a face-off on CNN in October and challenged the Republican nominee to take the stage with her.

North Carolina Governor Says Robinson Furor Could Benefit Harris

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said the controversy surrounding Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson could help Vice President Kamala Harris flip his state for Democrats on Election Day.

Zelenskiy Starts US Trip at Munitions Plant in Pennsylvania

Volodymyr Zelenskiy began his visit to the US with a stop at an ammunition plant in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state that will help determine the outcome of November’s US presidential election.

Upcoming Webinar: Elections Q&A

Elections Q&A with Greg Giroux: Join us for a webinar with BGOV elections expert Greg Giroux at 11 a.m. on Sept. 25. The event will provide an in-depth analysis of how the presidential race is affecting congressional races, ballot measures, and other key aspects of the electoral landscape. Register Here

• Miss our Tax Webinar? Catch up on how tax policy will likely shake out, including key players, major areas of dispute, and how the election could shape the outcome. Read a Recap and Watch the Recording Here

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To contact the reporter on this story: Giuseppe Macri in Washington at gmacri@bgov.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kayla Sharpe at ksharpe@bloombergindustry.com