Election season is almost here. Congress is rushing to legislate first.

"“Let’s be working on things” was the message Senate Republicans conveyed to Johnson, according to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). “Progress on things like that are good.” Johnson, in an interview later, called the meeting “a great visit” where “we talked about how the two chambers can and should work closely together. We’re committed to that.”"

"Interviews with more than a dozen lawmakers revealed a genuine interest in making progress on long-stalled measures in the few short months before the home stretch of midterm campaigning begins. Members of both parties also see passing legislation as critical to combating a narrative with voters that Capitol Hill is mired in all-time political dysfunction and lack of productivity."

"“I believe in bipartisan work,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). “But it has been my experience that the closer you get to an election, the harder it is to get that kind of work done.”"

"Despite the happy talk amid the rapidly closing window for legislative action, however, real challenges and a lack of trust remain. The latest curve ball: President Donald Trump’s social media post over the weekend proposing Republicans wedge a partisan election security bill into the pending housing affordability package or a reauthorization of a key spy authority."

Rep. Jason Smith and Sen. Mike Lee describe a willingness to work with Democrats on a cryptocurrency taxation framework and on streamlining energy permitting. Senate Republicans also signal a desire for cooperation between Republican-led chambers, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski describing a message to Speaker Mike Johnson about working on shared priorities. Johnson says the meeting focused on how the two chambers can work closely together. Lawmakers report interest in advancing long-stalled measures before midterm campaigning intensifies, partly to counter voter perceptions of dysfunction. Some lawmakers note bipartisan work becomes harder as elections approach. Despite optimism, challenges remain, including President Donald Trump’s proposal to attach a partisan election security bill to other major legislation or to reauthorize a spy authority.

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