House returns after five weeks away with a top priority: Avoid a government shutdown

The House is back ith a top priority of avoiding a government shutdown before the midterm elections.

WASHINGTON — The House is scheduled to return Monday from a five-week summer recess with a top priority of avoiding a government shutdown before the midterm elections.

The House will only be in session for four days this week and will return again Sept. 14, after Labor Day, when the Senate will also come back from its lengthy break. From there, the House has just three weeks left in session before Election Day on Nov. 3.

Here’s what could be on the agenda for House Republican leaders before the midterms, when their paper-thin majority will be on the line:

This week, the House is expected to take up a Senate-passed bill to prevent a government shutdown, according to a Republican leadership aide. Money is currently expected to expire for federal departments and agencies Oct. 1.

It’s the main item on the agenda, the only critical deadline requiring action before the midterm elections.