Senate Passes Funding Extension Bill to Avert Shutdown Ahead of Midterms

The Senate approved a funding measure on Saturday that would keep the federal government operating through December 11. The legislation was moved forward more than a month before the September 30 funding deadline in an effort to prevent a shutdown before the upcoming midterm elections. The bill must still be considered by the House, which has already passed a different extension that includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Senate version omits those allocations and temporarily blocks a proposed administration rule that critics say would politicize federal grants.

CNN

The funding deadline of September 30 looms as Congress prepares for the August recess. While the Senate acted early, uncertainty remains about whether lawmakers can avoid a funding dispute next month. In addition to the funding measure, the Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as the permanent head of the Department of Justice and rejected a voter-ID proposal. Senate Republicans also postponed a vote on their budget resolution—a package that would have combined defense spending with elements of the “SAVE America Act,” the administration’s elections reform proposal.

CNN

President Donald Trump called Senate leaders on Friday night, urging that the budget resolution be passed before the recess. Sen. Mike Lee indicated he would object to any effort to accelerate the vote without a resolution. Sen. Ron Johnson, chair of the Senate budget committee, told reporters that the GOP senators would return to the drawing board for a “better” budget resolution with additional defense funding when they reconvene in September, rather than risk a failed vote this week.

CNN

If the House adopts the Senate’s extension, the government would remain funded through December 11, averting an immediate shutdown and reducing political pressure ahead of the midterms. However, the differing provisions between the two chambers’ bills and the pending budget resolution mean a funding fight could still emerge after the September 30 deadline.

CNN

The Senate will resume work in September, when it is expected to revisit the budget resolution. The funding extension will expire on December 11 unless the House passes the Senate measure or another agreement is reached before then.

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