WASHINGTON — Senators in Washington are gone for their abbreviated August recess but they left a hefty to-do list behind.

Still looming ahead of the midterms is the battle to fund the government and avoid a shutdown, as well as seat a new Supreme Court justice.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, part of the Senate GOP leadership team, is among those trying to push Judge Brett Kavanaugh through the confirmation process so he can join the high court.

Cornyn spoke at length with Spectrum News’ Margaret Chadbourn about the Kavanaugh paper trail Democrats want to scrutinize, the chances Republicans will remain in power in the House and Senate and the possibility of a government shutdown due to a fight over border security funding.