WASHINGTON — In an unexpected move late Saturday, the Senate passed a temporary funding measure to keep federal operations running through early December. This decisive action, occurring in the midst of the campaign season, averts what could have been a disruptive government shutdown.
Taking action well in advance of the September 30 fiscal deadline sets this move apart from the usual last-minute rush to pass stopgap measures. Typically, congressional lawmakers deliberate until the final moments to settle on short-term funding. This time, however, senators acted nearly two months ahead of schedule, marking a significant departure from tradition.
With a 90-6 vote, the Senate demonstrated its eagerness to steer clear of another shutdown debacle. Recent history shows two challenging shutdowns over the past year, and lawmakers are keen to sidestep such disruptions just as voters prepare to cast their ballots.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the importance of addressing funding before lawmakers head home for a five-week break to campaign and attend to other priorities. Despite the bill getting tangled with other pressing issues, it ultimately secured strong bipartisan backing. The spotlight now shifts to the House, which must approve the bill after its August recess, allowing it to reach President Donald Trump for his signature.
While the legislation primarily extends existing federal funding through December 11, it also incorporates several negotiated exceptions between senators and the White House. These adjustments ensure government continuity while accommodating specific needs agreed upon during discussions.
Democrats secured language to ensure no money could be transferred to the Border Patrol. They also rejected the White House’s request of $1 billion for early work on a new “Trump-class” battleship that the administration announced on Dec. 22.
“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 provision became a point of contention
The bill also includes language delaying a national ban on most intoxicating hemp products. That one-month delay prompted outrage from some Senate Republicans who say that too many such products are falling into the hands of often unsuspecting children. The packaging of the products often relies on bright colors and intentionally mimics popular snack brands to attract consumers.
Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said that since 2017 there has been nearly a 10-fold increase in cannabis-related emergency room visits by minors in his home state.
“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.”
But the hemp industry said the delay buys time for Congress to craft legislation that protects hemp farmers and businesses while also putting in place safeguards to protect children.
Trump himself has called Budd to discuss the issue, though the president did not specifically ask the senator to drop his effort, Budd’s spokesman said.
“Senator Budd had a friendly phone call with President Trump discussing the legislative efforts regarding THC,” said spokesman Christian McMullen. He said the senator outlined his concerns about “any delay to closing the hemp loophole.”
Budd tried to strip the hemp delay from the bill, but the Senate turned aside his effort.
The bill delays a Trump administration rule on grants
Democratic lawmakers, along with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also got language in the bill that would block, for the duration of the funding patch, new regulations on federal grants. The regulations would require a senior political appointee to review grants before they are awarded to ensure, among other things, that they advance the president’s policy priorities. Democrats worry it’s an effort to kill grants destined for Democratic-leaning states.
“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.
The White House Office of Management and Budget says its effort is about improving accountability to ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted or misused. The issue is sure to be a topic of future negotiations on a full-year spending measure.
But Collins said the vast majority of the nearly 500,000 people and groups weighing in on the rule are opposed to 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.
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