The last push for legislative action before the November elections is about to begin. The first priority for Congress right now is to pass a 49-page short-term budget fix that will keep the federal government running until December 20.
(Our team has all the facts.) On Sunday afternoon, House Republicans announced their bipartisan, largely clean compromise effort. and on Monday at 4 o’clock, the Rules Committee will convene to prepare the legislation for debate on the floor. Midway through the week, a floor vote is anticipated.
Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) are the three most conservative members of the Rules committee, thus their stance on the legislation will be significant. Even while Democrats would certainly supply a significant share of the final votes, leadership may always attempt to pass the spending patch under suspension of the rules, an accelerated process requiring two-thirds approval.
A six-month budget patch that includes a GOP provision that requires proof of citizenship to register to vote was blocked by fourteen conservatives last week. The amendment has the support of former President Donald Trump. And Speaker Mike Johnson’s most recent plan is sure to annoy members of that faction.
However, Democrats in Congress showed their support for it on Sunday, so they will likely provide the votes needed to pass it in the Republican-controlled House.
In a statement released on Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer lamented that “this same agreement could have been done two weeks ago” but conveyed optimism that “we can wrap up work on the [continuing resolution] this week” in order to meet the fall deadline.
The actions of the chamber can be slowed down by any one senator. Keep in mind, though, that as Election Day draws near, lawmakers are eager to get back to campaigning.
The remainder of the agenda items include a Senate vote on a US Tax Court judge scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and the House’s intention to quickly pass over thirty laws pertaining to suspension.
