Senate pushes ahead with plan to fund government through midterms

On Monday, the Senate took steps to fund the government beyond the upcoming midterm elections, with the aim of preventing another government shutdown this fall. Senate appropriators introduced a continuing resolution on Sunday, which would keep the government funded at current levels, with some exceptions, through December 11. However, this measure creates a stand-off between the Senate and the House when the lower chamber reconvenes next month, just a few weeks before the September 30 deadline to fund the government.

The House had previously approved a separate stopgap measure to fund the government through December, which passed along party lines and faced opposition from Democrats. Senate leaders stated that the upper chamber would pursue a bipartisan approach, aiming for a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation and work with the White House on funding adjustments.

The Senate's continuing resolution included funding adjustments, known as anomalies, for various programs like nutrition, national security, and disaster relief. Democratic Senator Patty Murray highlighted the Senate measure as an improvement over the House Republican version, rejecting the administration's war spending proposals and addressing a loophole that would have allowed the Trump administration to funnel border patrol funding into other programs.

House Democrats criticized the Senate measure for not including provisions to zero out funding for border patrol and prevent so-called "pocket rescissions" to claw back previously appropriated funds. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the continuing resolution as a responsible path forward for bipartisan negotiations on a budget that benefits American families.