U.S. Congress Seeks Senate Changes Amid Funding Deadline

As the U.S. Congress returns from its August recess, Republican senators are considering procedural changes to expedite the confirmation of President Donald Trump's nominees for key federal positions, including the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. A major priority is securing funding for the federal government beyond the September 30, 2025 deadline, with a continuing resolution likely to prevent a shutdown given the limited legislative days remaining before a recess starting September 22. Concurrently, the Trump administration released the Spring 2025 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, outlining federal rulemaking plans for the next six months, with notable attention on labor and employment issues such as OSHA's ongoing examination of heat-related injury prevention standards and the Department of Labor's intent to rescind the 2024 independent contractor rule. Meanwhile, local and regional events continue across the country, including community gardening activities in Illinois, a fundraising plane pull for Special Olympics Montana in Great Falls, and cultural commemorations marking the 125th anniversary of the 1900 Galveston Storm in Texas. These diverse events highlight ongoing civic engagement and cultural remembrance alongside significant federal legislative and regulatory developments.