Lawmakers are back at the Capitol after a six-week recess, facing urgent issues, including the looming deadline to fund the government. Congress must approve funding by October 1 to avoid a government shutdown. Bipartisan cooperation will be essential, as top Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have called for discussions with President Donald Trump and Republican leaders. However, Trump has not yet agreed to these talks, stating, "Well, I will, I guess. But it's almost a waste of time to meet because they never approve anything."

Democrats are expected to push for the restoration of cuts to Medicaid and rural hospital funding in exchange for their support on government funding. If all 53 Senate Republicans vote in favor, at least seven Democrats would need to join them to form a bipartisan majority. However, Trump's recent request for a rescissions package, which seeks to reclaim $4.9 billion in previously approved foreign aid, complicates negotiations.

Republican leaders have not yet presented a clear plan to prevent a shutdown. With slim majorities in both chambers, passing the necessary 12 appropriations bills is a significant challenge. So far, the House and Senate have only passed two appropriations bills each, with the House advancing nine bills out of committee and the Senate clearing eight.

If bipartisan negotiations fail, Republicans may resort to a stopgap continuing resolution to keep the government funded temporarily. The potential for a shutdown remains credible as Congress returns to the same issues that stalled progress before the recess.

In addition to funding discussions, the Epstein case is set to dominate the agenda. Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna plan to hold a news conference with Epstein's abuse survivors on September 3. They aim to gather signatures for a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing Epstein files, which conflicts with Speaker Mike Johnson's preference for the Department of Justice to lead transparency efforts.

The House Oversight Committee will meet with victims on Tuesday, and the news conference is expected to draw significant attention. The House has struggled to advance legislation related to the Epstein files, with Democrats dissatisfied with the Justice Department's compliance with subpoenas.

The Oversight Committee has also subpoenaed the Epstein estate for documents and plans to question former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who was involved in Epstein's 2008 plea deal. Acosta is scheduled to appear before the committee on September 19.

Additionally, the committee has requested suspicious activity reports from the Treasury Department related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein's trafficking operations.

Congress will also address Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., and his plans for additional funding to combat crime in the city. The House Oversight Committee is expected to advance crime bills, while Democrats will push for measures to assert D.C. home rule and increase transparency.

Trump's authority to federalize Washington's Metropolitan Police Department will also require congressional approval soon. This unprecedented situation raises questions about how a vote would be structured, as it is not privileged and may require 60 votes in the Senate.

As Congress reconvenes, lawmakers will also revisit Trump's recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and ongoing issues related to Ukraine. There may be movement on a Russia sanctions bill, although no formal proposals have been announced.

House Republicans continue to investigate President Joe Biden's cognitive health and the use of an autopen in his office. More former Biden officials are expected to testify in closed sessions, providing further material for Republican inquiries. Anita Dunn, who testified earlier, noted a perceived physical decline in Biden but maintained that he remains mentally engaged in decision-making.