Federal Changes Coming as Trump Returns to White House, Legislative Update Shows

During a federal legislative update to Will County’s Legislative Committee, lobbyist Katherine reported that President Trump’s return to the White House is already impacting Congressional priorities, including decisions about the federal budget and key legislation.

Congress faces several critical decisions during the lame duck session, including:

• Whether to pass FY2025 appropriations by December 20 or extend via continuing resolution
• Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act
• The Water Resources Development Act
• Possible delay of Farm Bill reauthorization until next Congress

“With Republicans having flipped the House and taken the presidency, we’re looking more likely than not that the farm bill is going to get pushed another year,” Katherine reported. She noted this would allow Republicans to reshape the bill rather than work from the Democratic Senate’s version.

The Senate is projected to have a 53-vote Republican majority, though Katherine noted this still requires Democratic cooperation since most measures need 60 votes.