The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night for legislation spearheaded by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to fund the government until early next year, wiping out the possibility that Congress will vote on another massive omnibus funding package before Christmas. The bipartisan vote was 87-11, with 10 Republicans and one Democrat — Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) — voting in opposition. The legislation, which President Joe Biden has indicated he will sign, would fund military construction, the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and energy and water programs until January 19th. It would fund all other programs including the Department of Defense and many nondefense social programs until February 2nd. The legislation does not include the $105 billion in emergency spending requested by President Biden to fund the war in Ukraine, provide military aid to Israel, fund security measures for the Indo-Pacific, provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, and fund additional security measures along the U.S.-Mexico border. Johnson managed to get the bill through the House by relying on Democratic votes. It passed the House 336-95, with 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans voting yes. Ninety-three Republicans and two Democrats voted no.
Both the House and Senate are now in recess for Thanksgiving. The Senate stands adjourned and will convene for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted on the following dates and times:
Friday, November 17th at 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 21st at 10:00 A.M. and Friday, November 24th at 11:00 A.M. The Senate will then next convene at 3:00 P.M. on Monday, November 27th, and following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session for the consideration of the nomination of Jeffrey M. Bryan to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota.
The House will reconvene on Tuesday, November 28th.
