In a resounding 85-12 vote on Tuesday, the Senate catapulted forward, taking the initial stride towards advancing a three-bill “minibus” funding package. This dynamic package amalgamates the Senate’s Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-VA, and Transportation-HUD measures, aiming for a remarkable display of unity in stark contrast to the spending quagmire plaguing the House GOP.
Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) voiced her thoughts before the vote, stating, “Do I believe that these bills are what either of us would have written on our own? Of course not. But that is compromise, and that is how you make sure that government can be functional and effective.”
Despite this spirited Senate effort, it’s essential to note that the minibus won’t serve as a panacea to stave off a looming government shutdown, as federal funds are set to run dry on September 30. However, Senate leaders are resolute in their intent to navigate this package through the upper chamber, aiming to bolster their position in the broader spending showdown with the House.
With both the House and Senate eventually needing to consider a continuing resolution to avert a shutdown on October 1, there’s much at stake. Billions of dollars for disaster relief and critical aid for Ukraine hinge on negotiations surrounding this stopgap.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the imperative need for bipartisan collaboration in averting a shutdown: “Both parties in both chambers are going to have to work together in a bipartisan way to avoid a shutdown. That is obvious.”
The road ahead envisions the final passage of the three-bill minibus as early as next week. However, it entails Senate leaders reaching an agreement to ensure an expeditious process, likely involving votes on various messaging amendments, albeit with uncertain prospects of success.
