Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Scalise’s Vision for an Intense Legislative Agenda
FIRST ON FOX: House Republican leaders are gearing up for a decisive return next week, aiming to compensate for the six-week hiatus resulting from the recent government shutdown.
With the conclusion of Congress’ 42-day fiscal stalemate on the horizon, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., shared insights with Fox News Digital regarding an expedited legislative schedule focused on key Republican priorities.
“We are revamping the schedule to create additional time to recover from the impacts of the shutdown. Numerous bills that we had planned for October will now have a chance to move forward,” Scalise stated during an interview on Tuesday night.
Immediate Legislative Priorities
Next week’s agenda prominently features legislation designed to alleviate federal restrictions on liquefied natural gas (LNG), along with a bill aimed at expanding refining capabilities to help mitigate soaring energy costs.
Additionally, the House will vote on measures directly impacting Washington D.C. These include a proposed bill mandating pre-trial detention protocols for defendants accused of violent crimes.
Another legislative effort seeks to dismantle local ordinances that, according to Republicans, hinder the effectiveness of the Metropolitan Police Department.
A largely symbolic measure, intended to denounce socialism in the United States, is also slated for discussion next week.
Extended Legislative Hours and Adjusted Work Weeks
Members of the House will work late into the evening, a noticeable shift from their usual schedule. Votes will now potentially coincide with times when many lawmakers typically leave Capitol Hill.
Scalise emphasized that the House will transition to a five-day legislative week, operating from Monday through Friday, differing significantly from the conventional four-day schedule.
Crucially, ample time will be allocated during the day for House committees to conduct hearings and progress their legislative initiatives, an activity that has been dormant since September 19.
“We will maintain this pace for the next several weeks to ensure we recover the lost time during the shutdown, when members were primarily occupied in their districts,” Scalise remarked.
Confronting Key Legislative Challenges
As Congress prepares for a busy period, various critical priorities loom ahead. The legislation intended to terminate the government shutdown is set to pass the House on Wednesday. This bill pushes the majority of fiscal year 2026 federal spending to a January 30 deadline while authorizing funding for three of Congress’ twelve annual spending bills for that fiscal year.
Despite these developments, both the Senate and House appropriations committees face significant challenges in reaching agreements on the remaining financial legislation.
“We have nine remaining bills that we hope to complete in the coming weeks. Chairman Tom Cole, along with his appropriators, will also be working diligently during this time,” said Scalise.
Furthermore, Congress must embark on negotiations to reach a bipartisan consensus on the federal government’s annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“Negotiations are ongoing, and we are approaching a resolution on the NDAA,” Scalise added.
Future Legislative Developments
Scalise revealed that House Republicans are also preparing to invest considerable energy into developing a new Farm Bill. This crucial legislation will outline agricultural priorities and federal food policy affecting urban, suburban, and rural communities across the nation. Additionally, a highway bill authorizing policies related to surface infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and rail lines, is also on the agenda.
“Although many of these bills have been actively considered within committees, their visibility has diminished nationally during the shutdown. Committees, particularly the chairpersons, have made strides to ready these bills for movement,” Scalise noted.
“We will have significant legislative items aligned with our America First agenda ready for immediate action. This is why we are increasing floor time to ensure we accomplish these goals by year-end,” he added.
The Path Forward for the GOP
To achieve these substantial legislative goals, it is imperative for the House to first pass the Senate’s bipartisan legislation aimed at concluding the government shutdown.
When asked about the potential for securing enough votes, Scalise responded, “I remain very hopeful that we will find the necessary support.”
“I am confident that our members are eager to return to a full House schedule. Many have been working tirelessly in their districts to address the difficulties caused during the shutdown by the Democrats,” Scalise concluded.
