🌟 Editor’s Note
Welcome to the new version of The Bellevue Compass. The layout is a bit different, but don’t worry—the content you know and love is below.
Here’s how we’re changing things around.
Sector Breakdowns: In order to cover more ground, we’ll be breaking down what’s coming out of Congress sector-by-sector, for some of Pennsylvania’s biggest industries like healthcare, education, economics, transportation, and more. Each week, we’ll give you a quick update of what—if anything—has changed.
PA Impact: We’ll still give you a breakdown of how those changes affect Pennsylvania.
What We’re Watching: If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, you’ve likely noticed this section at the bottom of our newsletter. Here, we’ll drop you the headlines for some of the most important stories that we’re paying attention to across the nation and the Commonwealth.
Want a deeper dive?
If there’s a topic you’re interested in our analysis of, feel free to drop us a line. We’ll be doing deeper dives on the big stuff as it happens, but we’re always happy to hear what you want to know.
🗓️ What’s Up Next
Congress | The PA General Assembly |
|---|---|
Congress is back in session beginning Tuesday, September 2. | The General Assembly is back in session beginning Monday, September 8. |
📋 Congress’s To-Do List
If you guessed that it’s pretty long, you’d be correct. In lieu of a sector breakdown, this week we’re looking at what Congress will be coming back to.
The start of August recess was rocky, and the return is shaping up to be rockier. They’re returning to the National Guard in D.C.’s streets, a looming deadline to avoid a government shutdown, and a whole host of impassioned debates. Here’s what we think they’ll be focusing on.
September 30th Deadline: Congress is up against a tight deadline to pass a short-term spending measure in order to keep the government funded for a few weeks or months while they hash out the details of a full-year package. Republicans will need Democratic votes to pass that extension, and Democrats will want significant concessions.
How It Impacts Pennsylvania. Since the budget process we know and love was introduced in 1976, the government has only shut down for more than one business day a total of four times. Funding gaps are frequent, but real impact is blessedly minimal—most of the time. If the federal government lapses in funding and shuts down, Pennsylvania will be facing the same setbacks as all other states: halted EPA inspections, National Park shutdowns, air traffic delays, IRS and loan delays, and SNAP benefits lapsing after 30 days.
Congressional Approvals: Before Congress left for recess, President Trump called on them to approve his almost-hundred appointees that have been waiting in the wings. Needless to say, that didn’t happen. The debates are likely to pick up where they left off.
How It Impacts Pennsylvania: The good news here is that it’s not just Pennsylvania that’s impacted. Controversial judicial nominee Emil Bove was approved before Congress left for recess, and has shifted the political alignment of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit.
The National Guard: President Trump mobilized the National Guard in Washington D.C. in August, citing high crime, as well as taking control of the police force. His statute of limitations is close to expiring, however, as his authority only grants him 30 days of control over the police department before he has to petition Congress to extend the authority. President Trump also announced plans to ask Congress for more funding to combat crime in D.C., and Senator Lindsey Graham responded by stating he’d work to pass a funding bill. With the National Guard deployed in D.C., President Trump has set his sights on other cities—and Congress will likely be reacting to that forward gaze.
How It Impacts Pennsylvania: With Philadelphia on the administration’s target list of so-called “sanctuary cities”, Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner, faith leaders, and Governor Josh Shapiro are poised and prepared for the potential that the president will attempt to deploy the National Guard in the city.
“Our teams are prepared for whatever the White House may try and send our way.”
🔥 What We’re Watching
A federal judge ruled President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles illegal. Now we’re asking: is D.C. next?
In an open letter, a cadre of former directors and acting directors of the C.D.C under both Democratic and Republican administrations warn of wide- ranging, negative impact under the direction of RFK Jr.
The White House has declared $4.9B in foreign aid funding unilaterally canceled, as Democrats and Republicans warn that pocket recissions requests might throw a wrench in cross-party talks amidst the looming shutdown.
Supposedly the reason for Congress’s slightly early departure in August, the Epstein case is still at the forefront for many legislators and their constituents. Calls for the administration to release more information on the case are ongoing, and the pressure is likely to continue as lawmakers return.
Did You Know? Now, for a fun fact to end on a positive note. Every state has an insect— on April 10th, 1974, Pennsylvania designated the firefly as our state insect. You’ve only got a few more weeks left to see them before they hibernate for the winter!
Till next time,