Senate leaders outlined a packed pre-recess schedule Friday that includes votes on a government funding extension, Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination, a federal voter identification bill, college sports legislation and a $95 billion budget framework.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — Senate leaders laid out an ambitious plan Friday to move a broad package of legislation and nominations before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess, setting up the possibility of votes continuing through the night and into early Saturday morning.
The schedule includes a continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded through Dec. 11, confirmation of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to permanently lead the Justice Department, consideration of a federal voter identification measure from Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, and procedural action on legislation governing college athletics. Senators were given until 3:25 p.m. EDT Friday to object to the proposed time agreement. An objection would prevent leadership from proceeding by unanimous consent, although leaders could still attempt to move the individual measures through regular Senate procedures.
One immediate priority is the continuing resolution, which would avert a government shutdown by extending federal funding through Dec. 11. Under the proposed Senate schedule, lawmakers would first consider an amendment from Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., seeking to remove language in the funding bill that would delay a ban on hemp-derived THC products, followed by a vote on final passage of the continuing resolution.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, objected to the proposed time agreement, saying he was “not on board” with a plan that would allow the chamber to depart without directly confronting unfinished legislative priorities. Lee and 17 other senators had previously urged colleagues to remain in Washington rather than begin the August recess until the Senate passed the Safeguard America Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE America Act. Lee also objected to the structure of the agreement because it did not include a direct vote on whether the Senate should adjourn for recess.
“It’s not lost on me that this agreement may have been designed to make it more difficult for me and others to force a vote on whether to adjourn or recess,” Lee said on X. “Regardless, I’m not on board with that plan—not with all that’s at stake and all that remains undone. For that reason, I have formally objected to the time agreement, contingent on scheduling a roll call vote (at 51) as to the part of the agreement that deals with adjournment with pro formas. We are United States senators. It is entirely reasonable to ask for a vote on this.”
The Senate was also expected to consider whether to begin debate on the Protect College Sports Act, although objections to advancing the measure were reportedly raised, according to sources cited by Yahoo Sports. The legislation is intended to establish new rules for college athletics, stabilize the system and codify protections and compensation opportunities for student-athletes, according to a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee release.
Another major item is Blanche’s nomination to become attorney general. His confirmation had been uncertain after several Republican senators raised objections involving a controversial Internal Revenue Service settlement. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., demanded written confirmation that a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund had been formally rescinded and that language in the IRS settlement would be revised so audit immunity for President Donald Trump and his family did not extend beyond the plaintiffs named in the case. The senators reached an agreement with Blanche on Monday, allowing the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance his nomination.
Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska remained opposed to Blanche. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., had also expressed hesitation but announced Friday that he would support the nominee, strengthening Blanche’s prospects for confirmation.
The chamber’s agenda additionally includes a $95 billion budget resolution that passed the House on July 22. The framework provides $10 billion to the House Administration Committee for grants connected to implementing the SAVE America Act, $72 billion for the House Armed Services Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to address the Iran war, and $12 billion in assistance for struggling farmers. The resolution contains no spending cuts.
Because the budget resolution requires only a simple majority, it can advance without overcoming the Senate’s usual 60-vote threshold, but the measure was nevertheless expected to fail. If it does, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., would then be recognized to offer a motion to proceed to his alternative budget resolution. If senators agree to take it up, Paul’s proposal would receive two hours of debate.
The Senate also plans to take up Husted’s voter identification legislation, which would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide proof of photo identification. Lawmakers are expected to debate and attempt to pass the measure as part of the broader push to complete business before the chamber leaves Washington for its August recess.
With objections already emerging and several consequential measures packed into the schedule, the Senate appeared positioned for an extended final session as leadership sought to move funding legislation, nominations, election rules and other major policy items before lawmakers departed the capital.
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