After a brief emergency session to consider funding for hurricane relief last week, Congress begins its busy fall schedule today. While Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT) are still expected to introduce charitable legislation this fall, the busy September schedule may push back the introduction of the bill until October. Grassley is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will now be considering appointments for two vacancies on the Supreme Court after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

From BNA: Senate leadership Sept. 2 tentatively planned to proceed with a long-planned agenda for its return from an August recess, despite pleas from top Democrats to put aside a scheduled vote on estate tax reform and instead tackle the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Amy Call, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), told BNA Sept. 2 that, while the Senate intends to proceed as planned, Frist will interrupt any pending legislation whenever necessary to deal with Katrina. "Our first priority is Hurricane Katrina," she said.

From The Center for American Progress: