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Crunch Time on Capitol Hill: The Race to Recess
The House prepares to take off at the end of the week, while the Senate plans to stay in town. Here's what you need to know.
Congress is barreling toward August recess, but there’s no shortage of deadlines, debates, and drama to navigate before the break. With fewer than 20 legislative days left to prevent a government shutdown, the clock is ticking, and both chambers are under pressure to finalize appropriations. The Nimitz Group will continue delivering up-to-date coverage and exclusive insights as Congress races to wrap up its work.
On a lighter note, the Nimitz team is proud to support the HillVets Foundation and looks forward to seeing many of you at their recess party this Wednesday. We’ll be tracking all the action on and off the Hill.
In this week’s Nimitz Report:
Full committee markup: HVAC moves key bills ahead of August recess
Veteran suicide crisis in MO: State leaders sound the alarm
Government shutdown warning: Experts watch the clock for funding deadline
WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?
Red Star: House Event, Blue Star: Senate Event, Purple Star: Joint Event, Green Star: Other Event
Tuesday, July 22nd
💸 Subcommittee Hearing: “Counting the Money: Preventing Fraud and Abuse in VA’s Bonus Payment Practices for VA Employees,” House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee at 2 pm. Watch here.
Wednesday, July 23rd
Friday, July 25th
🧑🌾 Subcommittee Field Hearing: “Beyond the City Limits: Delivering for Rural Veterans,” HVAC Technology Modernization Subcommittee at 10 am. Watch here.
NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK
Experts warn that a government shutdown is increasingly likely as Congress looks ahead to the August recess.
Congressional News
With the House set to begin its summer recess on July 25, Congress has fewer than 20 legislative days left to avert a partial government shutdown when funding expires on September 30. While the House has passed some appropriations bills, including for Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Senate has yet to finalize any, and partisan divides over recent rescission and reconciliation packages threaten progress. Staff negotiations will continue through August, but the risk of a shutdown and disruptions to federal services remains high.
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a bipartisan $456 billion budget for the VA for fiscal 2026, aligning closely with House and White House proposals. Unlike the House version, the Senate plan passed without contentious social policy amendments and includes funding for VA health care, mental health services, suicide prevention, homelessness programs, and rural veteran care. The bill also contains safeguards against care disruptions due to recent VA workforce reductions, now projected at 30,000 instead of 80,000. This continued investment reflects the VA’s expanding budget trajectory, now surpassing $400 billion, which is more than the combined budgets of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
Veteran News
The VA has announced that it will propose a rule to extend eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) for legacy participants and applicants through September 30, 2028. This three-year extension will ensure continued benefits and stability for nearly 15,000 veterans and their caregivers while the VA refines the program through rulemaking. PCAFC provides critical support such as training, respite care, counseling, and stipends to family caregivers of veterans with serious service-connected injuries. VA Secretary Doug Collins called the extension a reaffirmation of the department’s commitment to supporting veterans and their families.
Missouri is facing a severe veteran suicide crisis, with some of the highest rates in the nation, according to Missouri Veterans Commission Executive Director Paul Kirchhoff. He cited a shortage of mental health professionals, especially in rural areas, as a key barrier to veterans accessing care. Kirchhoff emphasized that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and the Commission is working to raise awareness and attract more mental health providers to the state.
Jake Larson, the World War II veteran and social media star known as "Papa Jake," has died at 102, leaving behind a legacy of storytelling that reached millions worldwide. A D-Day survivor who stormed Omaha Beach, Larson shared his wartime experiences on TikTok and YouTube, gaining widespread admiration for his humor, humility, and reflections on sacrifice. He was awarded a Bronze Star and France's Legion of Honor, with his recent CNN interview on D-Day earning an Emmy. His passing is a poignant reminder of the dwindling number of living WWII veterans and the importance of preserving their stories.
National News
Six months into President Trump’s second term, Democrats remain politically adrift, with party favorability at record lows and no clear message or leader to galvanize support ahead of the 2026 midterms. Despite some special election wins, polls show voters view Democrats as “out of touch,” “woke,” and “weak,” while frustration grows over their perceived failure to effectively oppose the Trump administration. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s persistent unpopularity underscores the party’s leadership struggles. Data experts warn that without a strong, coherent platform, Democrats risk squandering a critical opportunity to rebuild and reclaim voter trust.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Strategically, if you want to do appropriations, you got to have 60 votes in the Senate, and Democrats have to play a part in that.”
FOR FUN
For role-playing game (RPG) fans out there, Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern has come to Eisenhower Theater at the Kennedy Center! This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fantastical game, and Danielle (a Dungeon Master herself) encourages everyone to check it out.
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