Senate to proceed with House-approved spending bill to prevent government shutdown.
The Senate Races Against Time to Keep the Government Open
The Senate is making swift progress in pushing the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open before the looming Oct. 1 deadline. A Democratic aide revealed that the bill is currently being hot-lined, paving the way for a vote to take place “as soon as possible.” This decision came after Senate Republicans rallied around the House measure, forcing Democrats to determine whether to proceed with the bill, which provides disaster relief but excludes Ukraine aid.
The federal government’s funds are set to run out on Sunday, leaving the Senate with only a few hours to pass the House CR, which would extend the government’s operation for an additional 45 days. Initially, the Senate supported a bipartisan CR that included $6 billion in Ukraine aid and $6 billion in disaster relief, as the House struggled to pass spending bills. However, as House Republicans advocated for a clean stopgap to prevent a shutdown, their Senate counterparts withdrew their support for the measure.
Currently, Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate with a 50-49 split chamber due to the absence of Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). This allowed Republicans to block the leadership-approved bipartisan CR, which includes $6 billion in Ukraine aid and $6 billion in disaster relief.
As the House was on the verge of passing its clean CR on Saturday afternoon, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) surprised many by announcing that Senate Republicans would withhold the cloture votes necessary to advance the chamber’s bipartisan continuing resolution. This move contradicted McConnell’s previous support for the Senate’s bipartisan CR and ongoing backing for Ukraine, as he passionately defended these positions to his conference before the vote.
Despite McConnell’s efforts, he failed to convince the majority of his conference, including members of leadership who support Ukraine assistance, to join his cause. Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) and Senate GOP Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) were among those who objected.
Prior to the meeting, four GOP senators who endorse Ukraine aid expressed their willingness to support the House’s CR to avoid a government shutdown.
The Democratic aide suggested that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) “caved” by accepting the version of the CR that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) agreed to on Saturday. They pointed out that McCarthy ultimately embraced Schumer’s stance that a “bipartisan bill is the only way to avoid a shutdown.”
Countdown to the Vote
When asked about the timeline for the Senate to pass the legislation after a Saturday evening meeting where the Senate Democratic Conference rallied behind the House CR, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) assured the Washington Examiner that a vote could be expected within the next hour or two. However, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) challenged this timeline, suggesting that the bill might not reach President Joe Biden’s desk until Sunday.
Read more: The Washington Examiner
How does the slim majority in the Senate present a challenge for Democrats in securing the passage of the House CR
Ed CR earlier this week, causing concern among Democrats and the Biden administration. However, it seems that Senate Republicans have changed their tune, realizing the urgency of passing the CR to avoid a government shutdown.
The decision to hot-line the bill suggests that Senate Democrats believe they have enough support to pass it swiftly. Hot-lining involves circulating the legislation to all members of the Senate, allowing for a quick vote without going through the usual committee process. By bypassing the committee, the Senate can expedite the passage of the CR, ensuring the government remains open.
The House CR, which provides disaster relief but excludes Ukraine aid, has been a controversial topic among lawmakers. While both Democrats and Republicans agree on the need for disaster relief, some Democrats have argued that the exclusion of Ukraine aid is unacceptable. However, with the looming deadline and the threat of a government shutdown, Democrats may have to make a difficult decision.
In addition to the time constraint, Democrats face another challenge in the form of a slim majority in the Senate. With a 50-49 split chamber due to the absence of Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Democrats cannot afford any defections from their own party. They must ensure that every Democratic senator supports the House CR to secure its passage.
On the other hand, Senate Republicans have shown unity in their support for the House measure. This, coupled with the pressure to keep the government open, could tip the scales in favor of swift passage. However, it remains to be seen how individual senators will vote once the bill reaches the floor.
The Senate races against time to keep the government open. As the Oct. 1 deadline approaches, lawmakers must put aside their differences and prioritize the needs of the American people. The consequences of a government shutdown would be severe, not only for government employees and the economy but also for the country’s overall stability.
It is crucial that the Senate acts swiftly and efficiently to pass the House CR. This requires cooperation and compromise from both Democrats and Republicans. While Ukraine aid may be a contentious issue, it should not overshadow the importance of preventing a government shutdown. By working together, lawmakers can ensure that the government remains operational and that crucial services are not disrupted.
In the coming hours, the Senate will face a pivotal moment. The outcome of the vote will determine whether the government remains open or if the country plunges into a shutdown. The American people are watching and hoping for a swift resolution to this crisis. It is now up to the Senate to rise above party politics and act in the best interest of the nation.
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