Senate Approves Government Funding Through Dec. 11 in Bipartisan 90-6 Vote/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ The Senate voted 90-6 to fund federal agencies through Dec. 11, seeking to prevent a government shutdown during the midterm campaign season. The bipartisan measure blocks Border Patrol funding transfers, rejects $1 billion for Trump’s proposed battleship and temporarily delays new federal grant regulations. A one-month delay in the ban on intoxicating hemp products divided Republicans, while the industry argued that Congress needs more time to develop safeguards.
Quick Look
- The Senate approved the funding measure 90-6.
- Federal agencies would be funded through Dec. 11.
- The action came nearly two months before the Sept. 30 deadline.
- Congress wants to avoid another shutdown before the midterm elections.
- The House must approve the measure after its August recess.
- Trump must sign the bill before it becomes law.
- Most federal spending would continue at current levels.
- Democrats blocked transfers of funding to the Border Patrol.
- The Senate rejected $1 billion for a proposed “Trump-class” battleship.
- The bill delays a hemp product ban for one month.
- Sen. Ted Budd unsuccessfully tried to remove the hemp delay.
- Trump discussed the THC issue with Budd by phone.
- The measure temporarily blocks new federal grant regulations.
- The proposed grant rules would require political review of awards.
- Democrats fear the rules could target Democratic-led states.
- Full-year government funding remains unresolved.
Deep Look
Senate Passes Funding Bill in Overnight Vote
WASHINGTON — The Senate approved a short-term government funding measure early Saturday that would keep federal agencies operating through Dec. 11.
The measure passed in an overwhelming 90-6 vote.
Lawmakers acted unusually early in an effort to prevent a potentially disruptive shutdown during the final weeks of the midterm election campaign.
Senate Acts Before Sept. 30 Deadline
Congress typically waits until the final days or hours before a funding deadline to approve temporary spending legislation.
This time, senators acted nearly two months before the current fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
The early vote reflected lawmakers’ desire to avoid repeating the two major government shutdowns that occurred during the previous year.
Thune Wanted Vote Before Recess
Senate Majority Leader John Thune sought to complete work on the legislation before senators left Washington for five weeks.
Many lawmakers plan to use the August recess to campaign for reelection or support other candidates.
Other legislative disputes delayed the final vote until overnight, but the funding package ultimately received broad support from both parties.
House Must Still Approve Measure
The Senate vote does not by itself prevent a shutdown.
The House must pass the measure after lawmakers return from their August recess.
The bill would then go to President Donald Trump for his signature.
Failure to complete those steps before Sept. 30 could still result in a lapse in government funding.
Spending Mostly Remains at Current Levels
The legislation generally continues existing federal spending rates through Dec. 11.
It does not establish full-year funding for the government.
Instead, it gives Congress additional time to negotiate annual appropriations while moving the immediate deadline beyond the November elections.
Democrats Block Border Patrol Transfers
Democratic senators secured language preventing money from being transferred to the U.S. Border Patrol during the temporary funding period.
The restriction reflects continuing disputes between the parties over immigration enforcement and the administration’s border policies.
The White House agreed to the provision as part of broader negotiations needed to secure bipartisan support.
Senate Rejects Trump Battleship Funding
The measure excludes $1 billion requested by the White House to begin work on a proposed “Trump-class” battleship.
The administration announced plans for the vessel on Dec. 22.
Democrats opposed using the temporary funding legislation to launch the project.
“The only person who wants these golden ships is Donald Trump so he can slap his name on them,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.
Hemp Ban Delay Divides Republicans
The funding bill delays a national ban on most intoxicating hemp products by one month.
The provision angered several Republican senators who wanted the prohibition to take effect without delay.
They argue that hemp-derived intoxicants are increasingly reaching children through colorful packaging resembling familiar snacks and candy.
Budd Cites Emergency Room Visits
Republican Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina said his state had experienced nearly a tenfold increase in cannabis-related emergency room visits involving minors since 2017.
“This is a public health crisis that deserves this Senate’s immediate attention,” Budd said. “Our children should never be the testing ground for an industry willing to exploit a loophole in federal law for profit.”
Hemp Industry Supports Delay
Hemp businesses and farmers argued that the one-month delay gives Congress time to develop a more balanced law.
The industry says legislation should protect legitimate agricultural and commercial operations while establishing rules preventing children from obtaining intoxicating products.
Without additional time, businesses argue that a broad ban could eliminate lawful products and damage farmers.
Trump Discusses THC Issue With Budd
Trump called Budd to discuss the legislative dispute.
According to the senator’s spokesperson, the president did not specifically ask Budd to abandon his opposition to the delay.
“Senator Budd had a friendly phone call with President Trump discussing the legislative efforts regarding THC,” said spokesman Christian McMullen.
McMullen said Budd explained his concerns about “any delay to closing the hemp loophole.”
Senate Rejects Budd Amendment
Budd attempted to remove the one-month hemp delay from the funding package.
The Senate rejected his effort.
As a result, the delay remains in the bill moving to the House.
The issue is likely to return when Congress considers broader legislation governing hemp-derived intoxicants.
Bill Pauses New Federal Grant Rules
Democrats and Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine also secured language temporarily blocking new regulations on federal grants.
The restriction would remain in place for the duration of the short-term spending measure.
The Trump administration’s proposed rules would require senior political appointees to review grants before federal agencies award them.
Political Appointees Would Review Awards
Under the proposed regulations, appointees would assess whether grant awards support the president’s policy priorities.
The Office of Management and Budget says the system would improve accountability and prevent taxpayer money from being wasted or misused.
Democrats worry political officials could use the review process to cancel grants intended for Democratic-led states or organizations opposing Trump’s agenda.
Murray Criticizes Grant Proposal
Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the leading Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, accused the administration of attempting to politicize federal spending.
“They are not interested in making our tax dollars work better — they just want them to work for Donald Trump,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Collins Highlights Public Opposition
Collins said the proposed regulations had generated overwhelming public opposition.
Nearly 500,000 individuals and organizations submitted comments on the rule, with the vast majority opposing it.
“I don’t think in my time that I’ve been privileged to serve in the Senate that I have ever seen a proposed rule generate that many negative comments,” Collins said.
Grant Dispute Will Return
The funding bill only delays the regulations while the temporary spending measure remains active.
It does not permanently cancel the proposed grant review system.
The dispute will likely become part of negotiations over a full-year funding package before the new Dec. 11 deadline.
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