As GOP lawmakers return to Washington, they are greeted by a host of controversies that President Trump and his cabinet managed to sidestep during their lengthy August break.
The foremost issue is avoiding government shutdowns at the end of the month. Tensions have escalated after Trump proposed a “pocket withdrawal” of nearly $5 billion from Congress, a move that received major backlash from Democrats.
On top of that, Republican lawmakers are confronting a slew of challenges, particularly concerning the CDC. The firings initiated by Trump and CDC Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have sparked resignations among high-ranking officials, raising significant concerns about children’s vaccination programs.
Additional controversies include Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard in Washington, plans for the government to acquire a 10% stake in Intel, and debates regarding the appointment by Lisa Cook, the first Black woman on the Federal Reserve Committee. These issues will be on the agenda when lawmakers resume activities next week.
Government funding deadlines and $5 billion withdrawal plan
Trump’s proposal to pull back allocated funds has created a divide among Republicans. Democrats are adamant about maintaining funding frameworks in October to keep federal services operational.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Susan Collins (R-Maine) noted that the government’s Accountability Office found Trump’s withdrawal plan to be “illegal.” She and other Republicans argue that the Budget Committee should address these funds rather than leaving it to the administration.
Some Republican senators have pushed for the administration to engage the Budget Committees rather than putting forth separate withdrawal packages. In contrast, budget director Russell Vought is pursuing this withdrawal plan, which circumvents congressional spending authority. The proposal, presented to Mike Johnson (R-LA), is not expected to advance before federal funding expires on September 30th.
Former Senator Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) indicated that keeping the government open will be a “heavy lift” this time around, suggesting that many Democrats may find it difficult to support a continuing resolution amid intense partisan discord in Washington.
CDC Controversy
Republicans are facing backlash from the dismissal of Monares as CDC director, fueling accusations that Kennedy is advancing a politically charged agenda around vaccine science.
Senators will have the chance to question Kennedy regarding this decision. He was vague when asked about it during his last Senate appearance. Kennedy is scheduled to testify about Trump’s healthcare agenda for 2026.
This situation presents an opportunity for Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, to press Kennedy about the firings and the overall agency reforms.
The resignations of key figures, including Demetre Daskalakis and Daniel Jarnigan from the CDC, have added to the tumult. Cassidy called for an urgent review of vaccination practices and suggested postponing an upcoming meeting aimed at making vaccination recommendations.
Trump vs. federal authority
Republicans have largely remained quiet on Trump’s attempt to oust Cook from her Federal Reserve position, which she was appointed to by former President Biden and whose term runs until 2038.
Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) expressed uncertainty about Trump’s authority to dismiss Cook, but acknowledged the unprecedented nature of attempting to exert control over the Federal Reserve. He remarked, “It’s uncharted territory.”
Several Republican senators have cautioned Trump against encroaching on the Fed’s independence, noting it could diminish confidence in U.S. debt and the economy. Cook has rejected calls to resign and plans to sue to block Trump’s dismissal efforts.
The Trump administration has requested that federal judges dismiss Cook’s pleas to retain her position, arguing for broad powers to terminate Federal Reserve members.
Sanctions and military aid for Ukraine
Amid ongoing geopolitical concerns, some Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), are advocating for significant military aid to Ukraine. Others like Lindsey Graham (SC) are calling on Trump to endorse a new sanctions package aimed at Russia, targeting nations like China and India that purchase Russian oil.
This push for military aid has grown more pressing following deadly drone and missile strikes in Kyiv. Republicans initially believed Trump would support a bipartisan sanctions bill, given his criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin prior to the break.
However, Trump’s cordial interaction with Putin at a recent summit raised eyebrows. The challenge for Republicans is persuading Trump to agree to harsher measures against Russia while balancing concerns about U.S. military involvement abroad.
Trump’s temporary authority over D.C. police
According to GOP aides, the emergency authority Trump had over D.C. expired on September 10, with little above-board action anticipated from Congress to renew it. The proposal is unlikely to clear the Senate due to the filibuster requirement.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (NY) dismissed the chances of passing such a measure. Trump is looking to deploy National Guard troops in other cities, and law enforcement agencies are seeking to establish operational hubs nearby.
While Republicans mostly back Trump’s clampdowns on crime and immigration, the deployment of troops in urban areas has proven contentious among some lawmakers.
Trump’s deal with Intel
Trump is celebrating a significant deal to have the federal government acquire a 10% stake in Intel in return for substantial federal funds as part of the Chip and Science Act.
However, many Republicans are uneasy about the U.S. taking on investment roles in private tech firms. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) called it a move toward “socialism,” while Sen. Tom Tillis (R-N.C.) expressed discomfort with the idea of government investment making Intel feel like a “semi-state-owned enterprise.”
Young, who contributed to the legislation underpinning the Chips Science Law, emphasized that they did not intend for this law to result in government control over Intel, citing significant concerns about the implications of such a precedent.
