The U.S. House of Representatives returned from its August recess this week and moved swiftly to address one of Washington’s most pressing near-term deadlines.
Lawmakers passed a stopgap funding bill to extend current federal government funding beyond its original September 30, 2026 expiration date through December 11, 2026.
President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on September 2, 2026, ensuring the federal government will remain open ahead of the November midterm elections.
While the measure averts an immediate crisis, it could portend a messy end-of-year funding battle as the 119th Congress draws to a close.
The short-term fix effectively pushes the difficult fiscal decisions into the final weeks of the congressional calendar, setting up what could be a turbulent December for lawmakers.
On the immigration front, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs completed its review on August 27, 2026 of a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services proposal titled “Eliminating the Discretionary 60-day Grace Period.”
The proposal was notably absent from the Spring Regulatory Agenda issued on July 3, 2026, raising questions about the speed and transparency of its development.
The 60-day grace period has historically provided foreign nationals additional time to adjust their status or depart the country following changes in their employment or visa circumstances.
Eliminating this discretionary window could have significant implications for employers who rely on skilled foreign workers and for individuals navigating the US immigration system.
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing titled “Less Red Tape, More Opportunity: Unleashing American Workers and Job Creators.”
Subcommittee chair Representative Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) said in his opening statement that the hearing focused on “barriers that hinder economic growth and stifle private sector employment.”
Witnesses addressed pressing employment policy matters including independent contractors, joint employment, and excessive heat conditions in the workplace.
Advocates at the hearing called for finalization of U.S. Department of Labor proposed rules concerning independent contractor and joint-employer status, issues that have long divided business and labour groups.
Witnesses also pushed for advancement of complementary legislation, including the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, signalling continued momentum around reclassifying how American workers are categorised under federal law.