Senators began filtering out of the Capitol on Thursday for a multiweek recess, leaving a stack of unfinished business on the floor. The farm bill, FISA reauthorization, the annual defense authorization measure, and all 12 appropriations bills remain in limbo, with Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) signaling they will be taken up in the lame-duck session after November's midterms.
The Senate formally adjourned late Wednesday night after a party-line vote confirming Keith Sonderling as Labor secretary. Sonderling had been serving in the role on an interim basis for months, and his confirmation came just before the chamber's extended break.
Meanwhile, President Trump is set to leave Washington for Denton, Texas, where he will tour the Peterbilt Motors factory and deliver remarks focused on manufacturing and his economic agenda. He will then travel to Durant, Oklahoma, for a rally aimed at boosting Republican turnout in the midterms.
The president's trip comes as his economic approval ratings hit a new low, with 73% of voters disapproving of his handling of the economy. The White House has sought to counter that narrative by highlighting manufacturing jobs and trade policy, but the broader political environment remains challenging for the GOP.
Republicans are also watching their majority prospects nervously as the midterm map expands. Some party strategists worry that the president's red-state rally tour could backfire, energizing Democratic bases in states that were previously considered safe for the GOP.
Trump's focus on Texas and Oklahoma underscores the party's reliance on rural and working-class voters, but recent polling suggests that even traditionally conservative regions are showing signs of fatigue with the administration's approach. A backlash over data center energy costs has emerged as a potent issue in some districts, with voters balking at rising power bills.
In Oklahoma, the rally is expected to highlight the administration's energy policies, including the recent push for liquefied natural gas exports. Trump recently elevated Sen. Dan Sullivan in an Alaska LNG deal, warning against a 'fake' namesake project, a move that could play well in energy-producing states.
Democrats, meanwhile, are hammering the administration on multiple fronts. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has criticized Trump's hands-off approach to artificial intelligence regulation, calling it 'the fox guarding the henhouse.' The debate over AI and technology policy is likely to feature prominently in the closing weeks of the campaign.
The president's schedule for Thursday includes a stop at the Peterbilt factory, where he is expected to tout tax cuts and deregulation as drivers of manufacturing growth. However, analysts note that the sector has faced headwinds, including supply chain disruptions and labor shortages.
As the midterm campaign enters its final stretch, the Senate's decision to punt major legislation has drawn criticism from both parties. Democrats accuse Republicans of avoiding tough votes, while some GOP senators privately express frustration that the majority is leaving critical work undone.
For now, the focus shifts to the campaign trail, with Trump's rallies serving as a barometer of the party's enthusiasm. Whether the president's message can overcome the economic headwinds remains the central question of the 2026 midterms.
