Top senators from both parties are cautiously allowing Senator Johnson time to negotiate a short-term spending agreement, but they caution that action may be necessary to prevent a shutdown on October 1.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledges the successful bipartisan history among appropriators in the Senate, while Senator John Cornyn expresses doubt about the House’s ability to generate a bill in time.
Following Republican pushback, Johnson was forced to delay the vote on a continuing resolution, paired with the GOP’s Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would extend government funding until late March. The Senate prefers a shorter stopgap until after the December election to ensure military readiness and avoid controversial policy additions.
The upcoming government funding battle is crucial for Congress before the November elections and may impact the GOP leadership race in the Senate. Various senators are eyeing the Minority Leader position, but funding the government remains the immediate priority.
Ultimately, bipartisan cooperation will be crucial to avoid a shutdown, as both sides strive to present a clean slate to the next presidential administration without unnecessary delays or added policy riders.
Source: Washington Examiner
Contributed by David Sivak
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