The Senate is not in session today, while the House reconvened at 9:00 A.M. and is working on H.R. 5129 – Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2022. The House is expected to adjourn for the week after that vote.
Next week, the Senate is expected to try again to pass H.R.7691 – Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022. The Senate’s attempt Thursday to pass the $40 billion Ukraine aid package by unanimous consent was thwarted by Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) standing to object. Paul rejected an offer to have the full senate vote on his proposal to include a provision to designate a special federal watchdog to oversee how the $40 billion is spent. Paul blocked the votes because he wants his language inserted into the text of the bill instead of having to take his chance with an amendment vote, which could be blocked. The stalemate will delay the Senate’s passage of the Ukraine package until at least next week, and potentially beyond, and next week is when U.S. weapons shipments to Eastern Europe are expected to lapse. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) filed cloture on a motion to proceed on Thursday. The Senate will have to vote on that motion at 5:30 P.M. Monday, plus cloture on the underlying bill, plus final bill passage later in the week.
