Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced plans for a Senate vote on Sunday regarding a proposal to reopen the government. This comes after a weekend without any voting activity. Thune expressed that if Democrats agree to advance a continuing resolution previously passed by the House, he will propose an alternative stopgap measure. This substitute would feature a later expiration date and incorporate three full-year appropriations bills, collectively referred to as a mini-bus.
In his remarks to reporters, Thune emphasized that the Senate aims to vote on the government reopening proposal Sunday afternoon. The text of this legislation is expected to be released early that afternoon. According to Thune, the proposed legislation will include regular appropriations funding for military construction, veterans affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and the legislative branch. These appropriations have already been pre-conferenced with House appropriators. Additionally, there will be a temporary funding measure to support the rest of the federal government until late January.
Thune intends to replace the House-passed continuing resolution, which funds the government through November 21, with his combined continuing resolution and mini-bus. A Senate GOP aide has informally labelled this new proposal as the “Criminibus.”
On Sunday, Republican senators convened in the Mansfield Room to discuss their strategy moving forward while enjoying pizza from Andy’s Pizza and leftover Halloween candy. The gathering reflects the urgency and informal atmosphere as lawmakers seek to navigate the complexities of federal funding and government operations.
As the day progresses, the focus remains on whether Democrats will support the advancement of the House resolution and how Thune’s alternative proposal will be received. The outcome of this vote could have significant implications for government funding and operations in the coming months.
