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Congress looks to pass federal funding before Sept. 30 deadline

On Sept. 30, the federal government will complete its fiscal year, and Congress must pass legislation to fund the government into October. The House is on track to pass a Sept. 19, called a continuing resolution, that will keep previous funding levels the same until Nov. 21 while addressing additional security measures for all three branches of government. Republicans in Congress are hopeful this will provide additional time to pass a series of “minibuses,” which are multiple appropriations bills tied together to make the funding easier to pass. In fact, the House and Senate already are in formal negotiations regarding Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts, 2026.

As a reminder, the Senate needs 60 votes to fund the federal government under this plan, and Senate Democrats currently are withholding their support, potentially trading their votes for an extension of expiring health care tax credits. However, if the Senate adds these tax incentives into the short-term bill, it is said to be dead on arrival in the House. This will continue to play out until the end of the month, though despite these real challenges, it does not appear Congress has the appetite for a government shutdown.

�㽶��ý joins letter opposing the Warehouse Worker Protection Act

�㽶��ý joined allied organizations in sending a to all members of Congress opposing the , legislation to provide additional regulation of warehouse workers beyond what currently is required under federal law. The Senate bill is led by Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) while the House version is sponsored by Reps. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.). The bill contains provisions that would, if enacted, have substantial effects on a broad array of industries beyond warehousing, including construction. It would direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a new workplace ergonomics standard that would have significant implications for numerous industries and includes other restrictions that would be problematic for many types of businesses.

Given the many concerns with this legislation, the coalition letter noted the approach taken by this bill “would impose long discarded and unworkable regulations” that would “only impede efficient operations without improving workplace safety.” �㽶��ý will remain engaged with lawmakers regarding this legislation as it could see consideration by a key Senate committee.

National Labor Relations Board to challenge New York state law

The National Labor Relations Board’s acting general counsel has indicated the board will file a lawsuit challenging the recently enacted New York law that significantly expands the state’s authority in labor relations matters traditionally handled at the federal level. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill into law Sept. 5. The general counsel has issued a warning New York and other states seeking to regulate private sector labor unions that their measures “very likely would be preempted by the National Labor Relations Act” and the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. States are considering legislative action given the NLRB’s inability to act regarding labor disputes given the prolonged absence of a quorum because of ongoing litigation involving President Trump’s board nominees. The dispute may have significant ramifications for the future of labor relations law across the U.S.

USCIS announces H-2B visa cap reached

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services it has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap of 33,000 visas for the H-2B seasonal visa program for the first half of fiscal year 2026 (Oct. 1, 2025-March 31, 2026). The agency indicated Sept. 12 was the final date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2026. However, petitions for qualifying returning workers and others who are exempt from the cap will still be accepted. �㽶��ý is aware of strong demand for H-2B visas given ongoing workforce shortages and continues to advocate for Congress to increase the number of visas to help members meet their seasonal workforce needs.