Take a Number: Senate Moves Toward August Recess 

With a long list of unfinished business, the Senate is slowly moving toward the August recess. But anyone expecting a quick exit may want to think of the Senate's departure more like a visit to your favorite government agency: take a number, get in line, and hope your issue comes up (or doesn't) before closing time. 

Long on tasks and short on time, senators are working through several high-profile priorities during the final week before a five-week break. Those include passing a government funding measure to keep the government operating through early December, advancing a backlog of nominees awaiting confirmation, including a possible vote on the Attorney General nomination, and action on a long-awaited Russia sanctions bill. 

Of those issues, the Russia sanctions bill remains the retail community's primary focus. Throughout the debate, RILA has supported sanctions. At the same time, RILA has strongly opposed the bill's secondary tariff provisions, which could raise costs for American businesses and consumers. 

While political momentum, bolstered in part by a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, continues to favor passage of the legislation, our strong Senate relationships and sustained advocacy efforts are making a difference. 

This week, RILA joined a coalition letter highlighting the potential economic consequences of the tariff provisions. And while support for the sanctions is strong, senators on both sides of the aisle, including Sens. Ron Wyden and Rand Paul, have raised concerns about the economic impact of new tariffs. Sen. Paul has also sought to offer an amendment targeting the bill's secondary tariff language. 

The bill is far from settled. Regardless of the Senate's ultimate action, RILA will continue pressing its case with House lawmakers. But first, the Senate must begin and complete floor consideration of the legislation. There are still hours left on the clock, and time will tell whether the number for sanctions action is called before Congress closes up shop for the summer.