Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced plans on Sunday to advance a proposal aimed at reopening the federal government. Thune indicated that if Senate Democrats agree to proceed with a continuing resolution passed by the House of Representatives, he will introduce an alternative stopgap spending measure. This substitute would feature a later expiration date and include three full-year appropriations bills, often referred to as a mini-bus.
Thune stated that the Senate is scheduled to vote on this proposal Sunday afternoon. This decision follows a brief hiatus from voting on Saturday, when no legislative actions took place. The text of the new legislation is anticipated to be made available early Sunday afternoon, providing details on its contents.
The proposed legislation is expected to encompass the regular appropriations bills that fund critical areas such as military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and the legislative branch. These appropriations have been pre-conferenced with House appropriators to facilitate a smoother legislative process. Additionally, the measure will likely include a stopgap funding provision to sustain the rest of the federal government operations until late January 2024.
Thune’s plan involves replacing the House-passed continuing resolution, which funds the government through November 21, with his combined CR and mini-bus proposal. A Senate Republican aide informally referred to this new initiative as the “Criminibus.”
Republican senators convened on Sunday in the Mansfield Room, where they discussed their legislative strategy while enjoying pizzas from a local establishment and leftover Halloween candy. The informal gathering underscores the urgency and camaraderie among party members as they navigate the complexities of government funding.
As the government shutdown looms, Thune’s efforts reflect a broader push among Republican leaders to find a path forward that addresses both party priorities and the need for government continuity. The outcome of the forthcoming votes will be pivotal in determining the fiscal landscape for the coming months.
