Senate Advances Bill Extending Govt. Funding Past Midterms

The GOP-controlled Senate managed somewhat of a victory for the country on Monday, though it might turn out to be short-lived.Senate leaders hope to pass the stopgap spending measure before…As the SAVE America Act continues to languish, senators found time to ensure that they didn’t have to answer hard questions about a shutdown ahead of the midterms.The Senate overwhelmingly advanced a stopgap spending bill intended to prevent a government shutdown ahead of this fall’s midterm elections.Lawmakers voted 89-4 to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed, clearing the first major procedural hurdle for the continuing resolution.The strong bipartisan vote reflected broad support for avoiding another funding lapse after years of contentious budget battles and government shutdowns.The measure also has the backing of both Republican and Democratic leaders on the Senate Appropriations Committee, as well as Senate leadership.The legislation would keep the federal government funded at roughly current levels through Dec. 11.It also includes a provision temporarily blocking a Trump administration proposal that would give political appointees final authority over scientific grant decisions, a priority for Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, and other lawmakers who opposed the policy.Senate leaders hope to pass the stopgap spending measure before lawmakers begin their monthlong August recess at the end of the week, a timeline that would require bipartisan agreement to expedite several procedural steps.If the Senate approves the bill, it will move to the House of Representatives when lawmakers return in September.The House previously passed its own continuing resolution last month, but that version would fund the government for a shorter period and does not include several provisions added by the Senate.If enacted, the continuing resolution would provide Congress with additional time to negotiate full-year appropriations bills for fiscal year 2027, an effort that has proven difficult amid ongoing budget negotiations.Congressional appropriators remain at an impasse over overall discretionary spending levels for fiscal year 2027In the Senate, lawmakers have yet to bring any of the 12 annual appropriations bills to the floor for final consideration.