Lawmakers will have only 16 legislative days between their impending return to Washington, D.C., and their departure for the midterm elections. This leaves a limited window to avert a government shutdown and accomplish other unfinished business.

The House of Representatives will be back in session Aug. 31, and the Senate will join them Sept. 14. With the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, passing appropriations legislation to keep the government open is the dominant issue – everything else competes for scraps of time. At this point on the calendar, bills unrelated to funding regularly stall or are attached to must-pass appropriations packages.  

Both chambers will go on recess in early October for the 2026 midterm elections. Thirty-five seats in the Senate and all 435 seats in the House are up for grabs. The outcome, and the future of the many bills being considered by Congress, is uncertain.

Here is a look at some of the key pieces of legislation MOAA will be pressing lawmakers to pass before time is up.

Will There Be Another Shutdown?

The federal government shut down from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12 last year, with the funding lapse lasting a record 43 days before a continuing resolution reopened most agencies.

A second shutdown began Jan. 31 for several agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, which affected the Coast Guard. Funding was not restored for a record-breaking 76 days.

While the specter of another shutdown remains, Congress failing to agree to pass a continuing resolution by Sept. 30 is unlikely. There is little appetite for a shutdown before the election, and both the House and Senate have passed competing stopgap spending bills that would keep the government open until December. MOAA expects passage of one of these bills will be the top priority for lawmakers once they return to Washington.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Protect Servicemember Pay During a Shutdown | Ask Your Lawmakers to Protect Uniformed Services Retirement Pay]

MOAA has long held that lapses in funding financially harm servicemembers and hurt readiness. We have called on Congress to work together to reverse this trend of increasingly common shutdowns. Passing legislation to protect those in uniform from the harmful effects of a shutdown would bring a measure of certainty and enable servicemembers to better focus on their mission.

National Defense Authorization Act

Among the legislative packages for floor consideration in September is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Both the House and Senate have proposed versions of the must-pass annual NDAA, and Congress is expected to take up the bill shortly after returning.

The House passed its version (H.R. 8800) in late July. It authorizes a $1.15 trillion budget, includes a tiered pay raise of 5% to 7%, reverses cuts to more than 40 military treatment facilities (MTFs), mandates additional oversight for the TRICARE pharmacy benefit, and more.

The Senate version (S. 4784), with a topline budget of $1.14 trillion, was advanced by the Senate Armed Services Committee in June but has not been brought to the floor. It shares provisions aimed at reversing MTF cuts and enhancing pharmacy oversight, but authorizes only a 3.6% pay raise across the board. It also contains a provision that would establish a digital system to improve TRICARE beneficiary access to care, a priority of MOAA’s.

Once S. 4784 passes the Senate, negotiations will begin between the chambers on a final bill. MOAA will continue monitoring the NDAA as it develops this fall and will engage with lawmakers and their staffs to keep key provisions supporting servicemembers and their families in the final bill.

Take Care of America’s Veterans Act

The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) is a sweeping omnibus bill including more than 60 pieces of legislation supporting veterans, survivors, and caregivers. Provisions such as the Major Richard Star Act, the Love Lives On Act, and the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement (3R) Act address high-level MOAA priorities.

Leaders in the House postponed a scheduled vote on TCAVA shortly before leaving Washington in July. While general support among veterans is high, there remains an active debate concerning the source of TCAVA’s funding and codifying the VA’s upcoming changes to disability ratings for sleep apnea and tinnitus.

[RELATED: MOAA Takes Pragmatic Approach to Supporting Landmark Veterans Bill]

The provisions in TCAVA will greatly help many veterans, survivors, and caregivers – past, present and future. This bill is a pivotal opportunity to achieve long-awaited wins for veterans across the country. Taking no action is likely to result in the funds earmarked by this legislation being removed from the wider veteran community entirely and returned to the Treasury.

TCAVA may be brought back to the floor for action in September, and MOAA will continue to work with lawmakers, their staffs, coalition partners, and other stakeholders to make sure this opportunity is not wasted.

[TAKE ACTION: Urge Your Lawmakers to Support the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act]

Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard

With only 16 legislative days before recess, lawmakers will be weighing many priorities. Advocacy leaders and volunteers around the country are engaged in MOAA’s Summer Advocacy in Action campaign in support of three priorities: the Major Richard Star Act, military spouse employment, and pharmacy parity for TRICARE For Life beneficiaries.

[FROM MOAA’S PRESIDENT: Congress Is Listening. It’s Time to Act.]

Before recess, Congress needs to keep hearing from the people affected by these decisions. With competing priorities and a looming election, it will be up to uniformed servicemembers, families, veterans, and survivors to ensure those who serve and have served aren’t lost in a crowded docket. Please register as an advocate, get involved in your community, and take action today.