On Friday, the Senate voted to move forward with a $460 billion package of six spending bills to finance various federal departments before the midnight deadline for a partial government shutdown.
The legislation advanced with a 63-35 vote, paving the way for a final vote on Friday or Saturday.
The bill was approved by a wide margin in the House, aligning with the budget agreement made by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and President Biden in the previous year.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Schumer confirmed the spending agreement, which establishes a $1.659 trillion spending limit and incorporates $69 billion in adjustments as part of a separate agreement to increase the federal debt limit in 2023.
The funding would cover military construction, water development, and various government departments including Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development.
The 1,050-page bill faced strong resistance from Senate conservatives, including Sens. Rick Scott, Mike Lee, and Rand Paul, who raised concerns about over 6,000 earmarks worth over $12 billion.
Scott insisted on a vote for an amendment to send the bill back to the Senate Appropriations Committee to remove all earmarks.
Those opposed to the bill may choose to stage a filibuster on the floor to delay it until Saturday in protest of the earmarks and absence of policy riders addressing border security and other political priorities.
[READ MORE: Man Arrested At Biden’s State Of The Union Address After Shouting ‘Abbey Gate’]
About Post Author
