Congress Returns as Government Shutdown Looms

(AP) -- Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed President Donald Trump's tax and spending cuts without a single Democratic vote. But as they return to Washington this week after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats -- or around them -- as a government shutdown looms.

The annual spending battle will dominate the September agenda, along with a possible effort by Senate Republicans to change their chamber's rules to thwart Democratic stalling tactics on nominations. The Senate is also debating whether to move forward on legislation that would slap steep tariffs on some of Russia's trading partners as the U.S. presses Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.

In the House, Republicans will continue their investigations of former President Joe Biden while Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a split in his conference over whether the Trump administration should release more files in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Also, the president is set to make "an announcement" at 2 p.m. EDT, which has led to broad speculation from Americans skeptical of the president's physical health. The president's public schedule often includes unspecified announcements --- in August, two such instances turned out to be appearances with the president of FIFA about the World Cup and another with Apple CEO Tim Cook.