Congress is back in session, but the countdown to September 30 is already underway. With just a few weeks to avert a shutdown, lawmakers face a compressed timeline, sharp partisan divides, and mounting policy tensions.

From VA care and immigration enforcement to executive nominations and fiscal brinkmanship, the road ahead is anything but quiet. We'll be tracking it all; welcome back.

In this week’s Nimitz Report:

• Return from recess: What you missed during August

• Veterans against ICE: Various concerns for former servicemembers & the administration

• Shutdown risks rise: Senate Minority Leader raises flag ahead of looming deadline

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

Wednesday, September 3rd

• 🎖️ Military Times Service Members of the Year Event: 7-9:15pm. Watch the livestream here.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

As Congress returns from recess, lawmakers have only 14 overlapping days to prevent a government shutdown before the September 30 deadline. Tensions are high over fiscal year 2026 funding, with Democrats resisting GOP-led rescissions and both parties facing political risks if a continuing resolution fails. Other major issues include bipartisan efforts to force the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s DOJ files, the possible extension of President Trump’s federal control over Washington, D.C.'s police force, and Republican plans to fast-track Trump’s backlog of executive nominees. Senate GOP members are considering rule changes to advance nominations more efficiently, while negotiations over funding remain deeply divided along partisan lines.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer warned of a growing risk of a government shutdown, accusing Republicans of refusing bipartisan negotiations and provoking chaos through a proposed “pocket rescission” to claw back nearly $5 billion in funding. He criticized the Trump administration’s moves as unlawful and warned of a looming health care crisis tied to expiring ACA subsidies and Medicaid cuts in Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Schumer called on Republican leaders to join “four corners” talks and urged them to defend congressional authority against Trump’s alleged authoritarian tendencies. He also praised Senate Democrats for highlighting how Trump’s agenda has harmed American families during the August recess.

Veteran News

The recent arrest of U.S. Army veteran Bajun Mavalwalla II for “conspiracy to impede or injure officers” following a protest against ICE has sparked outcry from legal experts, veterans, and civil rights advocates, who warn it may signal a dangerous escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on First Amendment rights. Though Mavalwalla has no criminal record and was not accused of assault, the federal conspiracy charge, which carries up to six years in prison, raises concerns over selective prosecution and the chilling effect on peaceful protest. A decorated Afghanistan war veteran, Mavalwalla’s story underscores the tension between service, civil liberties, and increasingly punitive immigration enforcement under President Trump.

Purple Heart recipient José Barco, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, now faces deportation to Venezuela despite serving 15 years in prison and previously applying for U.S. citizenship twice. Advocates argue his deportation amounts to a second punishment that denies him access to VA care and betrays his service, especially given his diagnoses of PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Barco’s case is one of several involving noncitizen veterans detained by ICE, many of whom were misled into believing military service guaranteed citizenship. Legal experts and supporters are urging immigration courts to consider these veterans’ service and health conditions before proceeding with removal.

More than 77% of VA hospitals earned 4- or 5-star ratings in the CMS 2025 Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, with none receiving a one-star rating. VA Secretary Doug Collins praised the results as evidence of the department’s commitment to delivering high-quality care to veterans. The article also highlights key improvements made under the second Trump Administration, including a 37% reduction in the claims backlog, expanded clinic access, and $800 million in infrastructure upgrades. Additional changes include faster access to community care, reforms for survivor benefits, a rebooted EHR rollout, and the end of DEI initiatives at VA.

National News

The upcoming November elections will offer early insights into voter sentiment during President Trump’s second term, with both parties facing enthusiasm and turnout challenges ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrats must energize their base despite dissatisfaction with party leadership, while Republicans aim to rally Trump supporters in an off-cycle year. Key races include a California redistricting ballot initiative to expand Democratic House seats; Virginia’s historic gubernatorial contest between two female candidates, Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, ensuring the election of the commonwealth’s first woman governor; a New Jersey gubernatorial race between Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli; and a dynamic New York City mayoral contest featuring progressive Zohran Mamdani against rivals including Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo. These races are seen as bellwethers of political momentum heading into next year.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

The NFL season officially kicks off this Thursday at 8pm EST. 🎉 Our team has made their picks for the Super Bowl champions well in advance, and we have them listed below:

• Justin (CEO): Washington Commanders

• Danielle (Junior Partner): Detroit Lions

• Essam (Junior Partner): Buffalo Bills

• Emily (Health Policy & Outreach Associate): Kansas City Chiefs

• Clare (Junior Associate): Kansas City Chiefs

• Rita (Operations Coordinator): Kansas City Chiefs

• Dallas (Director of Programs, HillVets): Kansas City Chiefs

JOIN THE NIMITZ NETWORK!

Enjoying our updates? Don’t keep it to yourself — forward this email to friends or colleagues who’d love to stay informed. They can subscribe here to become part of our growing community.

Interested in our other publications? Please subscribe by clicking below: