Congress has left Washington until after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with most lawmakers returning home to campaign and a substantial legislative backlog. The House departed two weeks before the Senate, which adjourned Wednesday after confirming Keith Sonderling as President Trump’s Labor secretary nominee on a 47-41 vote. Unfinished matters include the farm bill, annual defense authorization and emergency defense spending, expanded surveillance authorities under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, 12 appropriations bills, permitting reform, possible budget reconciliation legislation and three Congressional Review Act resolutions targeting California regulations. Senators are scheduled to return during the week of Nov. 9 for only eight sitting days in November and 14 in December, while government funding expires Dec. 11.