[co-author: Shelley Castle]

Democrats still have a significant number of must-pass bills and priority legislation to consider by the end of the year, with little time left on the congressional calendar to do so. Democratic leaders will have to prioritize what gets sent through and may have to amend the legislative schedule to make it happen. On Aug. 10, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced he is calling House members back to Washington the week of Aug. 23 to consider the budget resolution. The Senate is scheduled to return on Sept. 13, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) ambitiously planning to have the reconciliation bill "done on Sept. 15."