Senate could take test vote on new spending bill as early as Sunday afternoon
The Senate is preparing for a potential test vote on a Republican spending bill aimed at resolving the ongoing government shutdown and funding select government functions through early 2026. The bill, which is expected to cover programs like SNAP and military construction, faces a crucial hurdle: it requires 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, necessitating Democratic support. Key Democratic senators are under scrutiny for their willingness to break ranks, as party divisions over health care issues could complicate consensus. If the filibuster is successfully broken, a Senate vote to reopen the government could occur as soon as Sunday night, though internal party conflicts may delay the final decision.
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The new spending bill is designed to fund the government through late January 2026 and includes funding for the Agriculture Department, Veterans Affairs, and military construction projects.
The bill appears to be strictly a spending measure and does not include provisions for renewing Obamacare subsidies, which has been a point of contention among Democrats.
A successful test vote requires 60 votes, thus necessitating a coalition with several Democratic senators, including notable figures like Dick Durbin and Patty Murray, who may have secured key language in the spending pact.
If the Senate can break the filibuster, the government could potentially reopen shortly thereafter, with some sources suggesting a vote could happen as soon as Sunday night.
The House of Representatives is on standby and could reconvene midweek, but their support for the bill remains uncertain, particularly among moderate Democrats who may align with Republicans.
The political landscape is tense, with significant divisions emerging among Democrats, particularly between those willing to vote for the bill and those advocating for health care funding.
The dynamics of the House could shift if Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva is sworn in before the vote, bringing the total to 433 members and influencing the GOP's margin for error in securing enough votes.