The House on Wednesday advanced a two-bill package to fund large parts of the government, teeing up a final vote later today. The lower chamber voted 213-210 on the rule governing the spending package, which sets up debate and a vote on final passage. The legislation provides roughly $76 billion to fund the Department of Treasury and agencies related to financial services, as well as the Department of State and national security programs. The package, known as a minibus, is the product of fragile negotiations between bipartisan appropriators. Both House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (Connecticut), the senior Democrat on the panel, have thrown their weight behind it and given that support, the package is expected to pass the House with wide bipartisan backing.
The Senate has resumed consideration of Calendar #299, H.R.6938, Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations.
The Senate is also expected to consider Calendar #298, S.J.Res.98, directing the removal of US Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress. The measure, known as a war powers resolution, advanced in a procedural vote last week after five Republican senators joined with Democrats to vote for it — a stunning defeat for President Donald Trump after he ordered a strike that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. In the days since, the White House has engaged in a furious lobbying effort to kill the measure. The measure would likely be largely symbolic, as it would have to survive a Trump veto even if it advances from the Senate and the Republican-controlled House. A two-thirds majority is needed in both the House and Senate to override a veto, while the resolution is only subject to a simple majority threshold.
