Senate Schedules Final Recess Votes on Russia Sanctions and 12-Month Funding as AG Pick Lacks 1 Vote
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 8
Senate Schedules Final Recess Votes on Russia Sanctions and 12-Month Funding as AG Pick Lacks 1 Vote
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 8
Summary
John Thune lined up Friday votes on Russia sanctions, dozens of nominees and a procedural step on a stopgap funding bill as Senate leaders try to adjourn for August recess by day’s end.
One vote could still decide Trump attorney general pick Blanche’s fate after Lisa Murkowski came out against him, leaving Bill Cassidy under pressure as Thune said leaders were still working the count.
A simple-majority budget blueprint tied to the SAVE America Act is also expected to come up even though Republicans privately doubt it has the votes, raising the risk that Mike Lee or other hard-right senators delay adjournment.
Any single senator can still block a time agreement needed to speed through the funding bill and other business, while Democrats and GOP leaders keep negotiating a path to finish.
The rush leaves other priorities slipping into September: Republicans expect no final crypto vote before recess, and a college sports bill has stalled after 11 senators objected to expedited consideration.