The GOP-controlled Senate is apparently not messing around, as it made massive progress in passing three crucial spending bills ahead of the August recess — a feat that hasn’t been witnessed since 2018.
According to the Washington Examiner, three spending bills for 2026 were passed this week, including one regarding agriculture, another involving military spending, and a third that involved legislative branch spending.
Two amendments to the budget bills were also passed by voice vote, according to official reports.
Senate Republicans had faced bipartisan resistance in their attempt to bundle the three spending bills together. The holdup stalled the bills completely and forced Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) to find a new way to get them passed.
What’s happening?
Collins’ agreement to tackle the bills a different way set up floor votes on a number of bipartisan amendments. She carved out the legislative branch funding bill at the request of Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA).
The Examiner noted:
Kennedy opposed the legislative funding bill because it included what he said was the largest spending increase among all the appropriations measures, around 6%. While he credited his colleagues for their “conscientious and thoughtful work,” he argued that Congress should lead by example and rein in its own budget.
Kennedy had a problem with the price tag of the bill, and ultimately said that Congress can do better when it comes to reining in their own budget.
“Every bill that has come out of the Appropriations Committee has represented an increase in spending,” said. “I think we can do better.”
The Examiner provided details of some of the amendments that were passed for the budget bills.
Two amendments to the budget bills passed by voice vote: one from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) requiring the VA Secretary to report on staffing models aimed at improving timely, high-quality delivery of care and services; and another from Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) prohibiting any cuts to the Veterans Crisis Line.
The passing of the bills was significant, as Congress never enacted a full budget for 2025 and instead counted on three consecutive continuing resolutions to prevent shutdown.
Delays
What also delayed the bills, which were set to be passed after President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” was passed, was the immediate recissions package.
As soon as the $9 billion rescissions package was successfully passed, Democrats scattered, walking away from bipartisan talks.
While the August recess will be in effect, senators will stay at the Capitol and help clear a backlog of Trump nominees still awaiting confirmation.
Only time will tell if they’re able to clear it.
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Author: Ryan Ledendecker
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