Senate GOP delays Trump’s toughest initiatives until September, eyeing pre-election window

Senate Republicans have chosen to defer the most difficult portions of President Donald Trump’s policy agenda until mid-September, a timing that coincides with the lead-up to the midterm elections when passing legislation becomes more challenging. In that window, Senate Majority Leader John Thune intends to consider bipartisan measures on cryptocurrency oversight and reforms to college athletics, and may also advance a partisan spending bill that could embed voter-ID language.

The effort faces hurdles: Democrats are demanding stricter presidential ethics safeguards in the crypto proposal, and a sizable bloc of Republicans want to modify the college-sports bill. Thune also must rally at least 50 votes to adopt a budget resolution, a step required for any subsequent party-line spending package. Adding to the complexity, the House of Representatives still needs to pass the Senate’s continuing-resolution funding bill that would keep the government open through Dec. 11. The outcome will shape the legislative landscape heading into the November elections.