Senate takes call to avoid DHS-like shutdown before midterms

WASHINGTON, DC: Before going into the five-week August recess, the Senate approved the funding bill to ensure that the government has sufficient funds until December, avoiding the possibility of a government shutdown ahead of midterms.

On Saturday, August 8, the Senate worked through an overnight session to approve a short-term government funding bill to avert a shutdown. It also confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general and passed several resolutions by unanimous consent.

Senate approves funding bill

In a 90 to 6 vote, the Senate approved the measure, which would keep the government funded at current levels with some exceptions for six weeks beyond the September 30 end of the fiscal year.

The funding bill has now been sent to the House.

The Senate's 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation meant the GOP needed a bipartisan approach to clear the bill. This support materialized in the 90-6 vote.

The House will also have to approve the measure when members return from their August recess before it can go to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.

Democrats tout removing loopholes from bill

Democrats boasted that they included a provision closing a loophole, preventing the administration from transferring funds to Border Patrol. This comes after the Democrats refused to fund immigration enforcement agencies earlier this year.

Republican senator Susan Collins praised the measure for avoiding "any poison pills."

One provision could threaten House support

One provision could potentially pose a hurdle to the approval of the funding bill in the House when it returns from break later this month, as the bill includes language to temporarily prevent political appointees in the administration from implementing a proposed rule about federal grants.

Democrats have argued that this aspect would allow the administration to cancel grants and "take even more federal funding hostage," and have sought to permanently ban the rule.

However, in the face of a ban, the measure could lose Republican support.

The House is set to return from its recess on August 31, at which point the lower chamber will have a matter of weeks to keep the government funded.

If House Speaker Mike Johnson moves forward with the Senate bill, it could pick up support from Democrats to facilitate its passage.