Lawmakers Return to Capitol to Face Lengthy To-Do List, Including Debt Ceiling Crisis and Feinstein Resignation Debate

Lawmakers are returning to the Capitol after a two-week recess to face a lengthy to-do list, including the looming debt limit crisis. Despite the threat of economic catastrophe if the issue is not resolved in a matter of months, there is still no agreement in sight. In response, House Republicans are considering passing their own debt ceiling increase paired with spending cuts in an effort to pressure the Biden administration to the negotiating table.

In addition to the debt ceiling crisis, lawmakers are also dealing with the fallout from a leak of highly classified Pentagon documents. Another major challenge is the division among Democrats on whether Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) should resign due to her lengthy absence from the Senate. Feinstein, 89, is recovering at home in San Francisco after being hospitalized with a case of shingles. She has asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to appoint a replacement for her on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee after many of her colleagues voiced concern that her absence could stand in the way of confirming Biden’s judicial nominees.

The Biden administration has expressed a desire to work with both sides of the aisle to reach an agreement on the debt ceiling, but Republicans are pushing for spending cuts to be included in any deal. Democrats, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid a drawn-out battle over Feinstein’s resignation and are looking for a way to move forward without her.

It remains to be seen how lawmakers will be able to address both the debt ceiling crisis and Feinstein’s absence in the coming weeks. With the threat of economic catastrophe looming, it is essential that both sides come together to reach an agreement that will prevent further damage to the economy.