Senate GOP Rushes to Finish Agenda Before August Recess

Senate Republicans are working to complete a packed legislative slate before the chamber’s month-long August recess, which begins at the end of the workday on Friday and runs through the break. The agenda includes a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government, confirmation of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and dozens of other Trump nominees, and advancement of a $95 billion reconciliation package that contains the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, funding for the war in Iran, and farm-bill provisions. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the Senate voted 89-4 on the CR and aims to pass it before the break. Trump has urged the Senate to adopt a budget resolution that would open the path for a third reconciliation bill covering the same priorities.

The HillLankford says Senate GOP will delay recess if priorities stall The Hill

The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to cast a ballot. The House passed the reconciliation framework on July 22, allocating roughly $73 billion for defense, $12 billion for agriculture, and $10 billion for election-security incentives. Senate leaders are also being pressed to address cryptocurrency regulation through the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, a bill favored by the crypto industry but opposed by Democrats over perceived conflicts involving the Trump family.

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• July 22 – House passes the $95 billion reconciliation package.

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• End of this week (Friday) – Senate recess begins, extending through the break.

National Law Review

• September 30 – Federal fiscal year ends; funding must be in place to avoid a shutdown.

Just the News

• December 11 – Continuing resolution would keep the government funded through this date (as released by the Senate Appropriations Committee).

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• August 31 (scheduled) – Expected return of the House after the recess.

National Law Review

• John Thune (Senate Majority Leader) said the Senate must first pass a CR to keep the government operating and then try to move the budget resolution, noting he “doesn’t have 50 votes” to advance the latter.

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• Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) signaled she would likely vote against proceeding to a budget resolution, citing concerns about the reconciliation process.

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• Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) offered criticism of the CLARITY Act and the nomination process.

Lankford says Senate GOP will delay recess if priorities stall

Democrats have objected to the CLARITY Act, saying its provisions do not adequately prevent the Trump family from profiting from cryptocurrency ventures. Republican senators on the Senate Budget Committee, including Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), have expressed skepticism about moving forward on a budget resolution without broader consensus, with Collins stating she wants to focus on the CR first. Unnamed GOP senators warned that a budget resolution could be framed by Democrats as funding the Iran war, potentially jeopardizing reelection prospects.

The Hill

Senators plan to hold a procedural vote on the short-term CR on Monday evening, seeking bipartisan support before the recess. If the CR passes, attention will shift to the budget resolution and the CLARITY Act, both of which remain pending. Democrats have indicated willingness to accelerate votes on a Russia sanctions bill, the CR, and Blanche’s confirmation in exchange for postponing debate on the budget resolution until after the recess. The Senate will reconvene after the August break, with the House expected to return the week of August 31.

The Hill