The Senate on Friday broke a multiday impasse by passing the first three fiscal 2026 spending bills, the first time the upper chamber has passed appropriations bills before the August recess since 2018.
The vote on the package of bills combining the Military Construction-VA and Agriculture-FDA bills passed 87-9. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) allowed a legislative branch funding bill to proceed separately, which passed 81-15.
The agreement set up floor votes on a range of bipartisan amendments and carved out the legislative branch funding bill at the request of Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), who objected to its $7.1 billion cost and wanted a separate vote to oppose it.
Kennedy opposed the legislative funding bill because it included what he said was the largest spending increase among all the appropriations measures, around 6%. While he credited his colleagues for their “conscientious and thoughtful work,” he argued that Congress should lead by example and rein in its own budget.
“Every bill that has come out of the Appropriations Committee has represented an increase in spending,” Kennedy said. “I think we can do better.”
Two amendments to the budget bills passed by voice vote: one from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) requiring the VA Secretary to report on staffing models aimed at improving timely, high-quality delivery of care and services; and another from Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) prohibiting any cuts to the Veterans Crisis Line.
Senate Republicans faced bipartisan backlash this week after trying to bundle together a three-bill spending package that combined Military Construction-VA, Agriculture-FDA, and Commerce-Justice-Science funding.
GOP senators raised concerns about hemp regulations and military construction priorities, while some Democrats opposed provisions related to abortion and food safety. The dispute stalled progress and forced Collins to negotiate a new path forward.
Congress never enacted a full budget for fiscal 2025, instead relying on three consecutive continuing resolutions to keep the government funded through Sept. 30.
Republicans had initially planned to advance the annual appropriations bills shortly after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act became law; however, the swift introduction of a $9 billion rescissions package triggered weeks of delay.
SENATE GOP’S SPENDING BILL PLAN RUNS INTO BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION
When that package ultimately passed along party lines, many Democrats walked away from bipartisan negotiations, arguing there was little reason to compromise on funding priorities if Republicans could later unilaterally strip out provisions they opposed.
With government funding set to expire on Sept. 30, lawmakers are expected to pass a short-term funding measure, as the full slate of 12 annual appropriations bills likely won’t be completed in time. While this package is unlikely to become law as written, it will serve as a starting point for negotiations between the House, Senate, and both parties.
Senators are expected to remain in Washington, D.C., through the weekend as negotiations continue on a separate agreement to clear a backlog of Trump administration nominees awaiting confirmation.
Earlier in the week, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said Republicans had not “ruled out” staying in session into August if a deal with Democrats fails to materialize.