Abortion, Economy Lead Debate Night: What to Know in Washington

Donald Trump spent most of last night’s debate on defense against Kamala Harris in what could be a consequential factor in the race. But first, you should know:

• House Republicans’ spending plan is in trouble ahead of a vote on passage today.
• Former Biden administration aide Maggie Goodlander won a congressional primary yesterday in New Hampshire.
• A top House Republican is renewing the push to speed energy permitting.

Harris and Trump Spar Over Economy, Abortion

Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump faced off last night in a contentious debate that featured fireworks over abortion rights, the economy, and foreign policy.

Immigration and abortion were hot topics, with Trump attacking Harris over border security and warning that migrants will overrun towns across the US. Harris labeled abortion restrictions adopted by states “Trump abortion bans” and said the former president was responsible for situations where women were denied abortion care or access to in vitro fertilization.

Harris pitched expanding the child tax credit, offering mortgage assistance to new homebuyers, and a deduction for small businesses — while attacking Trump over proposed tariffs. Trump countered he “had tariffs yet I had no inflation,” during his term.

Harris sidestepped a question of whether she bore any responsibility for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, which happened during the Biden-Harris administration under a timeline set in motion by the Trump administration.

Trump also moved to tie Harris to more liberal policy positions from her past, hammering her for saying she no longer backs a fracking ban and flatly calling her a Marxist. Read More

Photographer: Allison Joyce/Bloomberg

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are shown on screen during a debate watch party.

Harris staked her debate strategy on trolling Trump before a national TV audience — baiting her opponent into defending his felony convictions, his wealth, and his propensity for outlandish statements and conspiracy theories. It took only minutes for the former president to validate her approach, with Trump diverting a discussion over border security into unfounded online rumors about undocumented migrants, who he said were now eating people’s pets in an Ohio suburb.

Signs that the night had not gone well for Trump were plentiful: The Republican appeared in the so-called spin room to proclaim victory even as he berated the debate moderators as unfair and suggested he wasn’t inclined to participate in another debate. Read More

More Debate Headlines:

• Trump and Harris’ Debate Remarks on the Economy, Fact-Checked
• Trump Refuses to Say If He Wants Ukraine to Win Against Russia
• Harris Touts Record US Oil Boom in Pitch as Climate Pragmatist
• Taylor Swift Endorses Harris for President After Debate

Editor’s Picks

Permitting Revamp Talks Resurface in Congress Before Election

A top House Republican is pressing Congress to agree on expediting federal environmental reviews for energy and infrastructure projects, a priority for traditional and renewable energy advocates as the clock winds down for legislating this year.

Black Caucus Prepares for AI Battle in Congress and Beyond

The Congressional Black Caucus played a key role in derailing the American Privacy Rights Act after civil rights provisions were removed from that House proposal in June.

Biden Administration Alum Goodlander Wins New Hampshire Primary

Democrat Maggie Goodlander won the primary for the seat being vacated by Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.). Kuster had backed a rival candidate.

Vilsack to Face Congress Questions on Food Aid Supply Shortages

Tribal leaders testifying before agriculture and appropriations committee lawmakers are expected to decry USDA contracting missteps that left recipients of two federal programs missing or delayed food assistance.

Election Officials Say Candidates Can’t Mislead With AI Ads

Political candidates will be barred from using artificial intelligence to generate misleading campaign ads that look or sound like their opponents approved them, under a bipartisan agreement announced by US election regulators Tuesday.

GOP Spending Bill Faces Long Odds, Short Votes

Speaker Mike Johnson’s government funding plan faces near-certain defeat over its length, policy riders — both in and out — and its spending levels.

Democrats and a growing number of Republicans oppose the plan, and defeat could push lawmakers toward a more basic stopgap that authorizes spending into December and includes few, if any, policy add-ons. Both parties are desperate to avoid the chaos — and blame — of a government shutdown this close to a tight election. They have to approve new funding by Sept. 30 to avert a lapse.

Some key issues hampering the outcome all sides say they want:

• Timing: Johnson’s most unorthodox play is seeking a six-month continuing resolution, an unusually long proposal to push current spending levels into the early months of the next presidential administration. But lawmakers in both parties say moving a spending fight into early next year risks consuming the new president’s first three months in office.
• Voting Laws: Johnson’s other major step is attaching the SAVE Act proposal requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. The provision won’t pass the Senate, and fraudulent votes are rare. But Republicans appear glad for the fight ahead of November elections.
• Spending Levels: Democrats are pleased Johnson’s sticking to agreed spending levels — which only infuriates hard-right Republicans. Several came out against the package, blasting it for expenditures they say are too high.
• Looking for Exits: Lawmakers in tough races would rather be home making campaign swings than in Washington voting to keep the lights on. If Johnson’s plan fails, look for some to push a quick alternative. Read More

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

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To contact the reporters on this story: Giuseppe Macri in Washington at gmacri@bgov.com; Jeannie Baumann in Washington at jbaumann@bloombergindustry.com

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