The Senate approved a continuing resolution early Saturday that would keep the federal government funded through Dec. 11 at current spending levels, postponing another major budget fight while the national debt stands at roughly $39.8 trillion.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a temporary government funding measure early Saturday that would extend current federal spending levels through Dec. 11, avoiding an immediate shutdown ahead of the midterm elections while leaving broader concerns over federal spending and the approximately $39.8 trillion national debt unresolved.
The chamber first voted 91-6 to invoke cloture on the continuing resolution, limiting debate and clearing the way for final consideration. Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Rand Paul of Kentucky, Democratic Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tim Kaine of Virginia, and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont opposed the procedural vote. The Senate then approved the CR 90-6, with South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham voting “present” because the legislation included a death benefit for the heir of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The measure is a conventional stopgap bill that maintains existing government funding rather than imposing new spending reductions. It would keep agencies operating through Dec. 11, extending the current fiscal framework without addressing the long-term debt trajectory. The House previously approved its own version of a continuing resolution on July 21 in a 220-205 vote, but that legislation would fund the government only through Dec. 4, meaning the two chambers will have to reconcile the differing expiration dates.
Paul objected to advancing another spending measure without corresponding reductions elsewhere in the federal budget. In a Friday post on X, he contrasted the CR and a separate $95 billion reconciliation package passed by the House on July 22 with his preferred approach, arguing that lawmakers were again adding to the debt without offsets. “Today we will vote on 2 budgets: One spends $100 billion MORE and is not offset by cuts. Pure debt. The other budget actually cuts spending by $400 billion dollars! Call your legislators and demand they vote for NO MORE DEBT!” Paul said.
Another dispute surrounding the continuing resolution involved federal restrictions on hemp-derived THC products. Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., introduced an amendment to remove language that would postpone a scheduled November ban on hemp THC products until Dec. 11. The amendment was expected to pass. The White House had requested the temporary delay, arguing that additional time would allow lawmakers and industry representatives to negotiate a workable federal regulatory framework rather than abruptly shutting down what has become a multibillion-dollar industry.
The hemp issue had generated enough concern among Republican senators that they confronted White House legislative affairs chief James Braid during a Senate GOP lunch, according to Punchbowl News. The disagreement added another layer of negotiation to a funding package leadership had hoped to complete before senators departed Washington for the August recess.
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the stopgap legislation Monday, and leaders initially planned to finish work on it Friday. Final passage instead came early Saturday as lawmakers worked through the chamber’s remaining agenda before leaving for recess. The measure now keeps the immediate shutdown threat at bay while pushing the next government funding deadline into December.
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