On October 15, 2019, Congress returned from a two-week recess to face the daunting task of passing 12 appropriations bills with only weeks before government funding expires. The House of Representatives has passed 10 of 12 appropriations bills. The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed 10 of 12 bills (8 passed unanimously), but none of the bills have been considered by the full Senate. Controversial proposals around funding for a wall on the southern border and abortion have stalled progress on the remaining bills.

A short-term spending bill, called a continuing resolution, averted a government shutdown and moved the deadline for funding the government to November 21. Passing all 12 bills through both the House and Senate before this deadline will be challenging, and there is a strong possibility that Congress will pass another continuing resolution to push back the deadline and allow more time for consideration.

In other news out of the House Appropriations Committee, Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) announced she will retire at the end of her term.