Conservative objections halt Senate spending ‘minibus’.
Senate Drama Over Federal Spending Reaches a Climax
The Senate drama over federal spending reached a boiling point on Thursday as conservatives frustrated leadership’s attempts to advance a minibus. The chamber had initially cleared a procedural hurdle to consider a bill that would consolidate three spending measures into one, aiming to expedite the appropriations process. However, lawmakers left Washington just two days later without making any progress towards a resolution.
Conservatives Demand Individual Consideration of Each Bill
Senator Patty Murray, the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, tried to move the legislation forward but was blocked by Senator Ron Johnson. Johnson insisted that the Senate should take up each bill separately, emphasizing the need to restore functionality to the chamber. He argued, “What’s wrong with taking up just one bill? Pass it, move on to the next.”
With a September 30 deadline looming to fund the government, both chambers are far from reaching an agreement. Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s efforts to pass a Pentagon funding bill fell apart, despite his warnings that their leverage would be weakened in negotiations if the government shuts down.
Conservatives Warn of Government Shutdown or Omnibus Bills
Senator Susan Collins, the ranking Republican on Appropriations, cautioned that failure to drop the hold placed by Johnson could lead to a government shutdown or the passage of all-encompassing spending bills that conservatives strongly oppose. Collins stated, “We don’t have time to take each bill individually to the floor — we’re going to end up with an omnibus, a government shutdown, or a yearlong continuing resolution.”
Johnson is not the only Republican objecting to the minibus. Senator Mike Braun has also placed a hold for the same reason, although he expressed his desire to avoid a shutdown. Braun argued, “A minibus is a version of an omnibus, and it’s all part of the system here that breaches what we should be doing.”
Conservatives Divided on the Minibus
While many conservatives have placed holds on the minibus for various reasons, not all are in Johnson’s camp. Senator Rick Scott, for example, will object unless he gets a standalone vote on a disaster relief bill he introduced. Senator Roger Marshall plans to withhold his consent until he gets a vote on the Credit Card Competition Act. Senator Rand Paul, one of the fiscal hawks in the Senate, highlighted the two schools of thought among conservatives regarding the appropriations process.
Leadership Faces Challenges in Moving Forward
Leadership faces an uphill battle as they navigate the demands of multiple senators. Senator Patty Murray announced 10 amendments from the Senate floor, including one proposed by Senator Rand Paul. However, many other senators are eyeing their own votes, with some leaving the possibility open for objections.
Senator John Cornyn, formerly the Senate majority whip, stood with conservatives looking to break up the minibus. He argued, “Sometimes when you reach an impasse around here, the most important thing you can do is actually get started instead of just sitting around staring at each other.”
Schumer and Conservatives Clash
Senate Majority Leader Schumer’s handling of the minibus has drawn criticism from conservatives. Senator Gary Peters doubted that Schumer would allow the bill to be split, while Schumer himself criticized the conservative holdouts. He stated, “You have a small little group here in the Senate trying to mimic the Freedom Caucus in the House and trying to even slow up a usually bipartisan appropriations bill.”
Path Forward Remains Uncertain
Despite the challenges, Senate leaders remain hopeful but cautious. Senator John Thune acknowledged the long road ahead and the need to explore all options. Senator John Barrasso expressed openness to any path that would ensure the passage of all 12 appropriations bills through the chamber. However, Senator Shelley Moore Capito lamented the tactics of the conservative holdouts, suggesting that they are disrupting the process.
With time running out and tensions rising, the fate of the minibus and the appropriations process hangs in the balance.
How do the divisions among conservatives on the minibus issue complicate the appropriations process and what specific reasons are leading to holds being placed on the bill
T unless he is given assurance that funding for the border wall will be included. These divisions within the conservative bloc have further complicated the issue and made it even more difficult to reach a resolution.
The Senate drama over federal spending has put the appropriations process on the verge of collapse. The inability to reach a consensus on how to move forward has raised concerns about a government shutdown or the passage of all-encompassing spending bills that many conservatives strongly oppose. The clock is ticking, with only a few days remaining before the September 30 deadline.
It is clear that conservatives are frustrated with the current approach and are demanding individual consideration of each bill. They argue that this will restore functionality to the chamber and expedite the appropriations process. However, others believe that the time constraint makes it impossible to consider each bill separately and that an omnibus or a continuing resolution is the only viable option.
The divisions among conservatives on the minibus issue further complicate the situation. While some hold reservations about the overall size and scope of the bill, others are placing holds for entirely different reasons, such as specific requests for disaster relief or funding for the border wall. These divisions within the conservative bloc make it even more challenging to find a resolution that satisfies all parties involved.
The Senate drama over federal spending has reached a climax, and the prospects of a resolution are looking grim. With the September 30 deadline looming, time is running out to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. The inability to come to an agreement on the minibus has highlighted the deep divisions among conservatives and the challenges of navigating the appropriations process. It remains to be seen how this drama will unfold and whether a resolution can be reached before it’s too late.
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