Alston & Bird’s Legislative & Public Policy Group previews the week ahead highlighting anticipated federal legislative, regulatory, and political activity, and key upcoming actions in Congress, the Administration, and relevant policy arenas.
Administration
- President Trump will host Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and executives of leading artificial intelligence companies at the White House on Tuesday.
- Following Chinese President Xi’s visit to the United States last week, the two countries announced a deal to establish a Board of Trade and cut tariffs on a reciprocal list of products worth $30 billion.
- With fuel prices at record highs, the Trump Administration is weighing policy options, including a possible ban on the export of diesel fuel.
House
- The House is in recess until after the midterm elections and is scheduled to return Monday, November 9.
Senate
- Senators are expected to vote Monday evening on final passage of the Protect College Sports Act, which would establish a federal regulatory framework for college athletics.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is expected to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act, aimed at shielding consumers from higher energy costs associated with data centers, for a procedural vote Wednesday. The House passed the bill by a 417–3 vote earlier this month.
- The rest of the Senate’s final week remains in flux. A bipartisan bill by Senators Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) that would ban Chinese car sales in the United States is gaining momentum toward a vote.
Key Hearings
September 29, 2026
- Senate Judiciary Committee: Oversight of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
September 30, 2026
- Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee: Executive Session to Consider Nominations
- Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee: Rogue AI: Securing the Homeland Against AI Agent Attacks
Executive Order, Action & Proclamation Task Force
Alston & Bird's multidisciplinary Executive Order, Action & Proclamation Task Force advises clients on the business and legal implications of President Trump's Executive Orders.
Learn more about administrative actions on our tracker.