By Kim Johnson, NLIHC Senior Policy Director
Members of the U.S. Senate will return to their offices on Capitol Hill today (September 14), marking the first time both chambers have been in session since before the August recess. House members returned to Washington, DC on August 31 and quickly voted on a Senate-passed continuing resolution (CR) extending funding for federal programs and services through December 11.
In addition to extending federal funding, the CR includes language delaying for the duration of the CR the implementation of a proposed rule from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that would reshape and politicize the federal grantmaking process (see Memo, 7/20). While important, the block is only temporary—any final fiscal year (FY) 2027 spending bills or other must-pass legislation should include language permanently blocking OMB from moving this harmful proposal forward. The CR also includes language clarifying that Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) should use funding provided by Congress in the final FY26 HUD spending bill for the Tenant Protection Voucher (TPV) program to serve families with expiring Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs), which would allow EHV holders to keep their homes and continue receiving rental assistance.
With a CR in place, Congress is scheduled for another recess in October in the runup to the November elections. Members of the House are expected to leave Washington, DC the week of September 21, two weeks earlier than originally scheduled, while Senators are expected to remain in DC until October 2. Given the short timeframe and quickly approaching midterm elections, the House is not expected to take up major legislative proposals in the coming weeks; members of the Senate will likely focus on confirming federal judges ahead of the October break.
After the November 3 elections, both chambers will be back November 9 with only five remaining weeks in session before the year—and the current congressional session—ends. Between November 9 and December 11, lawmakers will need to either pass all 12 remaining FY27 spending bills for federal programs, enact another CR to temporarily extend funding for federal programs again, or risk a government shutdown. The path Congress pursues moving forward may depend on whether control of the House or Senate changes hands after the election—for example, Congress might pass all 12 FY27 spending bills before the year ends to give the incoming Congress a “clean slate” to start their work, but if control of both the House and Senate flip, lawmakers may hold off on finalizing FY27 spending bills to give the new Congress the opportunity to rewrite the spending bills in the new year.
Use NLIHC’s August Recess Toolkit to Tell Congress to Expand – Not Cut – Federal Investments in Affordable Housing and Homelessness Assistance Programs!
The delay in finalizing FY27 spending bills means there is still time for advocates to weigh in with their federal lawmakers on the importance of expanding federal investments in affordable housing and homelessness assistance. Much like August Recess, the pre-election break in October gives federal lawmakers the opportunity to return to their home states and districts to not only campaign, but to hear from constituents about the issues that matter most to them.
Advocates can take action today by:
Using NLIHC’s August Recess Advocacy Toolkit for ideas and information on engaging members of Congress when they are in their home states or districts, including:
How to schedule an in-district meeting with a member of Congress or invite an elected official to tour a housing development in your community.
NLIHC’s policy priorities for the remainder of the current Congress.
Links to additional resources for more information and to help understand what the affordable housing crisis looks like in your community.
- Emailing or calling members’ offices to tell them about the importance of affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources to you, your family, your community, or your work. You can use NLIHC’s Take Action page to look up your member offices or call/send an email directly!
Sharing stories of those directly impacted by homelessness and housing instability. Storytelling adds emotional weight to your message and can help lawmakers see how their policy decisions impact actual people. Learn about how to tell compelling stories with this resource.
Organizations are invited to sign a letter to Minority Leaders Representative Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Chuck Schumer, urging them to make affordable housing a defining priority in the 120th Congress. Sign onto the letter.
Organizations can also join CHCDF’s sign on letter calling for the highest possible funding for HUD and USDA affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in any final FY27 spending bills. Read the letter and sign your organization on here.
Visit NLIHC’s Advocacy Hub for more information and resources that can help you take action and help protect the affordable housing programs people rely on.