Congress is back in session and the first thing on the agenda is another stopgap spending bill that keeps every federal dollar flowing through December — no cuts, no reform, just a bipartisan guarantee the gravy train rolls on while working Americans foot the bill.

The Senate already passed this continuing resolution 90-6. When both parties agree that fast, the public usually gets sold out. The bill, as reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, blocks the administration from transferring funds to Border Patrol, delays a rule that would give political appointees more power over federal grant distribution, and pushes back a federal ban on intoxicating hemp THC products by one month — a provision that has already drawn criticism from GOP lawmakers. Speaker Mike Johnson plans to run the bill through a fast-track process requiring a two-thirds vote, meaning a big chunk of Democrats have to sign on. That's not compromise; that's a prearranged deal where nobody fights for the voters who sent them there.

Then there's the Senate's Russia sanctions bill, passed 86-11, which would impose sanctions on key segments of the Russian economy and give President Trump sweeping new tariff authority over countries that buy Russian oil and gas. The Associated Press reports the effort was led by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham and aims to choke off revenue financing the war in Ukraine. Some House Democrats oppose it — not because they object to more foreign entanglements, but because they fear Trump could use those tariff powers against allies. The bill isn't scheduled for a House vote this week, but proponents want it moved before members leave to campaign. Either way, it's more American leverage committed to a overseas conflict with no defined exit.

Live 5 News WCSC reported that GOP members will also push a reconciliation package "that would continue to fund the war in Iran" — a detail no other outlet mentioned. If accurate, that's yet another foreign commitment with no cost defined and no end in sight, competing with Americans' needs at home.

For sideshow, the House will consider censuring Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., after the Ethics Committee found he engaged in "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" toward two young female aides — lavish gifts, comments on their appearance, intimate dinner invitations, and notes of effusive affection. Edwards disputes the conclusion, noting the committee found no evidence he "engaged in sexual activity or explicitly propositioned any individual under his employ." He argues individual acts "were gathered together, assigned the most damaging possible interpretation, and then used collectively to support a conclusion far more serious than the underlying evidence." He's already dropped his reelection plans.

And for pure theater, Republicans plan a resolution condemning socialism — a messaging vote to tie Democrats to democratic socialist candidates ahead of November. It won't cut a dime of spending or change a single policy.

The continuing resolution funds everything through early December, past the election, so nobody has to answer for the price tag until after voters have already cast their ballots. That's the whole point.