Congress will return to Washington, D.C. next week. Although both chambers already have items on their respective agendas before the August recess begins, another phase of COVID-19 response legislation is expected to be considered. If text exists, few have seen it. Like the previous COVID-19 responses from Congress, the process is entirely controlled by congressional leadership.

When the Senate returns next week, the chamber will continue to process the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2021, S. 4049. This is the annual authorizing bill for the Department of Defense (DOD), which can, at times, include controversial provisions.

Today, the Supreme Court issued an opinion in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue that represents a big win for school choice advocates and for religious liberty. The case revolves around a tax credit given to individuals and businesses for contributions to an education scholarship program for private schools, including religious schools, and a rule promulgated by the Montana Department of Revenue forbidding the use of scholarships at religious schools.

Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Wyo.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) have introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2021 to create a database of beneficial owners of businesses with 20 or fewer employees. This amendment, which is based on the ILLICIT CASH Act, S. 2563, is similar to the Corporate Transparency Act, H.R. 2513. The Corporate Transparency Act, which FreedomWorks opposed, passed the House in October.

The House and Senate are in session this week.

Schedule: The House and Senate are in session this week.

The Senate is in session this week. The House is in recess.

The Senate is in session. The House is in recess.