As Congress nears the end of 2019, many of the year’s biggest legislative battles have yet to be resolved. Critical issues facing the House of Representatives include border security and debt ceiling negotiations, gun safety legislation, and disaster relief for communities devastated by natural disasters. The start of a new Congress in 2020 brings renewed hope for progress on these issues, though time is running out for the current Congress to make meaningful headway.
The most imminent issue is the expiration of the government’s current funding in late December. This legislation must be passed to ensure that federal agencies are able to continue all services during the shutdown. Additionally, the debt ceiling needs to raised in order to avoid a damaging default on the national debt.
On the domestic policy front, gun safety legislation remains a top priority. The House has passed several bills to expand background checks on gun purchases and close loopholes, but the bill has yet to receive the Senate’s consideration. The issue of gun safety will likely continue to be debated in the new Congress as well.
On the plus side, the House has passed substantial disaster relief legislation this year. The bill provides billions of dollars to states and localities impacted by natural disasters, including tornados, wildfires, and hurricanes. This package is likely to pass in the Senate as well, helping those communities affected by some of the worst tragedies of 2019.
As the current House leaves for the year, the unresolved issues raise questions about what the next session of Congress can accomplish. With issues like border security, the debt ceiling, gun safety, and disaster relief still on the horizon, the House has its work cut out for it in 2020.
