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August Recess Is (Almost?) Here
The Senate weighs a longer work period as funding, nominations, and veterans legislation remain unfinished.
Happy Monday! Congress enters the week with an ambitious agenda and an uncertain timeline. While the Senate is scheduled to begin its August recess later this week, several Republican senators have suggested they are willing to remain in Washington until key priorities, including government funding and nominations, are completed. We expect this to be the final edition of The Nimitz Report before Congress heads out of town for August, though we'll continue watching developments if the Senate remains in session. Here’s what we’re following this week:
Before the Gavel Falls: Government funding, Senate agenda, Attorney General nomination
Veteran Watch: TCAVA, military spouse commission, VA eye care
Looking Ahead: Michigan Senate primary, Democratic divisions, fall outlook
From the team at the Nimitz Group, we hope you have a great month ahead, and we’ll see you when the House returns!
NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK
Chairman Jerry Moran speaking on the Senate floor last week.
Congressional News
The Senate is expected to vote this week on a bipartisan continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through Dec. 11 while buying more time to negotiate full-year appropriations. The measure includes several Democratic-backed provisions opposed by the White House, setting up a likely funding fight with the House when Congress returns in September, as leaders also race to complete nominations, sanctions legislation, and other priorities before the August recess.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination is back on track after Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis agreed to support him following a Justice Department commitment to formally rescind the proposed $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund." The agreement clears the way for the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance Blanche's nomination, though Democrats argue it does not eliminate all avenues for future compensation claims related to Jan. 6 defendants.
Veteran News
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran sought unanimous consent last week to pass the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, describing it as a bipartisan package that would expand healthcare, benefits, and services for veterans, caregivers, and survivors. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal also attempted to pass a revised version of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act that excluded proposed disability rating changes for tinnitus and sleep apnea. Both efforts were blocked, leaving the TCAVA legislation pending as lawmakers continue negotiations ahead of the fall legislative session.
President Trump signed an executive order creating the President's Military Spouse Commission to advise the administration on issues including employment, healthcare, childcare, and education for military families. The commission will be chaired by Jennifer Rauchet, wife of Secretary Pete Hegseth, and will include military spouses representing each service branch and senior military leadership.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging healthcare professionals to pursue careers in VA eye care as demand for vision services continues to grow. The department highlighted opportunities for optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other specialists while emphasizing the critical role they play in preserving veterans' vision and expanding access to care.
National News
Michigan Democrats head into Tuesday's closely watched Senate primary as Rep. Haley Stevens and former public health official Dr. Abdul El-Sayed compete in one of the party's most consequential intraparty contests. The race has become a proxy battle between establishment and progressive Democrats, with disagreements over Israel, campaign strategy, and electability carrying implications for control of the Senate and the party's future heading into 2028.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Strong families equal strong formations… And if your family’s not taken care of, then it causes hesitations and complications for the warfighters up front.
FOR FUN
The Nationals' 2026 Postgame Summer Concert Series concludes Friday, Aug. 7, with a free concert by Jordan Davis following the game against the Cincinnati Reds!
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