Senate Democrats released their short-term government funding bill late Monday night, which includes Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-West Virginia) energy projects provisions, despite opposition from most Republicans and some Democrats. The Senate will vote this evening on a procedural step to move the spending package forward. Tonight’s vote will be a test of whether the must-pass package can get enough support, despite opposition to the energy permitting overhaul. If the Senate falls short of the 60 votes needed tonight, there is the option to strip out the permitting proposal and move forward on the government funding bill without it. Senate Republican leadership, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), is urging their GOP colleagues not to support Manchin’s bill, which means he has a slim chance of mustering enough Republican support. Manchin suffered another setback Monday night when Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama), the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and a McConnell ally, announced he would vote against the stop-gap spending measure unveiled by his own panel because it includes Manchin’s permitting reform.
The legislation also includes roughly $12 billion for Ukraine assistance. Congress has already approved tens of billions in military and humanitarian aid for the country after Russia invaded in February. The measure also includes $20 million to help Jackson, Mississippi clean up its water crisis, $2.5 billion to address damage from a wildfire in New Mexico, and $1 billion to boost funding for a low income home heating program. Government funding runs out Friday at midnight and the CR provides funding through December 16th, pushing challenging negotiations about funding levels until after the November midterm elections.
The Senate will reconvene at 3:00 P.M. and will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.6833, the legislative vehicle for the CR. At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed.
The House remains in recess for Rosh Hashanah and will reconvene for votes at 6:30 P.M. tomorrow.
