Senate to Stay in Session into August Recess to Continue Health Care Bill Work

On July 11, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that he would keep the Senate in session for an additional two weeks, cutting the month-long August recess in half, in order to continue work on the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) and other legislative goals. In addition to the health care bill which has been the focus of much of the Senate’s attention, the upper chamber also must pass a defense authorization bill and increase the debt ceiling. It is unclear at this time whether the House will also stay in session into August, or whether they might instead call a special session for the purpose of voting on the health care bill if the Senate successfully passes its version.