Senate Spending Bill Vote: Timeline and Prospects for Bipartisan Support
The House has taken the first step in avoiding another government shutdown by passing a spending bill that would temporarily fund the government until September 30. Now, the Senate must pass the bill and get it to President Trump’s desk before the 11:59 p.m. deadline on Friday.
The Senate will likely vote on final passage of the bill on Friday, but before that, Republicans will need to advance the bill onto the Senate floor in a separate vote. This will require Democratic support, with at least eight Senate Democrats needed to join Republicans to clear the 60-vote threshold.
However, some Senate Democrats have already expressed strong criticism of the spending bill. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., called it a “shutdown bill that’s bad for the economy,” while Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray, D-Wash., described it as a “dumpster fire” ¹.
Despite these criticisms, it’s unclear whether Democrats will stick to their positions or ultimately back the bill. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has emphasized the need for a bipartisan solution, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has put the onus on Schumer to get the bill passed in the Senate.
The bill’s prospects are further complicated by the fact that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has announced his opposition to the bill. With Republicans holding a 53-seat majority in the Senate, Paul’s “no” vote means that Democrats will need to provide significant support to get the bill passed.
As the Senate prepares to vote on the bill, all eyes will be on Schumer and his ability to navigate the complex web of Democratic and Republican interests. Will he be able to find a way to pass the bill, or will the government be headed for another shutdown? Only time will tell.
