The U.S. Senate voted 85-12 vote this week to advance a three-bill “minibus” funding package, which combines its Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD measures.
Leaders aim to pass that package in a display of unity, in stark contrast to the House GOP conference.
In the face of a government shutdown, Senate Appropriations Chair
With federal cash set to dry up at the end of Sept. 30, the Senate’s minibus would do nothing to stave off a government shutdown. But leaders still want to move the package through with the goal of gaining leverage in the broader spending standoff with the House.
Both the House and Senate will ultimately have to consider a continuing resolution (CR) that wards off a shutdown Oct. 1 to buy time for bipartisan talks on a government funding deal for FY 2024. Billion$ in disaster relief are at stake in negotiations over the CR, in addition to billion$ in aid for Ukraine.
Final passage of the 3-bill minibus could come as early as next week, but the Senate will have to agree on a speedy process, likely necessitating votes on a number of messaging amendments that aren’t likely to succeed. (Politico 09/12/23) The Senate easily overcame the first hurdle to passing a nearly $280 billion government funding package. - Live Updates - POLITICO
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