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Senate tackles packed agenda ahead of five-week recess
The Senate still has a long list of legislative priorities, including government funding, budget reconciliation, and key nominations, before its upcoming recess.
WASHINGTON —
The Senate is racing to address a packed legislative agenda before leaving for five weeks of recess, with several bills already potentially delayed until mid-September.
At the forefront is a vote on a continuing resolution, a temporary government funding bill designed to avert a shutdown and keep federal agencies running through mid-December.
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Lawmakers are also considering a Russia sanctions bill, introduced as a tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, which would impose tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil and gas.
The five-year Farm Bill has been tabled after failing in committee on Thursday over partisan disputes on food assistance costs, including SNAP.
Budget reconciliation 3.0 is another priority. Several, but not all, Republicans are supporting the bill that includes billions in defense spending, farm aid, and election grants tied to former President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act.
The Senate is also set to vote on the confirmation of dozens of Trump’s nominees, including Todd Blanche for U.S. Attorney General, though, as of early Friday morning, it remains unclear whether Republicans have enough votes to confirm him. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced early Friday that she will oppose Blanche’s nomination, further narrowing his path towards confirmation.
While there may be plenty left to do, Senate Republicans were able to get at least one thing done. On Thursday, a Senate committee voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a contentious hearing last week.
The committee, chaired by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, has referred his case to Trump’s Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution.
“We have received the document, we are reviewing it, and will work with the Senate accordingly,” a DOJ spokesperson said in a statement.
“[Thursday’s] resolution is a continuation of Senator Paul’s personal vendetta against Dr. Fauci, who spent 50 years in public health and has saved countless lives,” a statement from Fauci’s attorney read in part. “It is shameful and wrong that Senator Paul is abusing his power by trying to weaponize the Justice Department against an honorable public servant.”
Watch more on what’s happening in the Senate:
