The Senate is preparing for a vote on a continuing resolution that would keep the federal government funded through mid-December when congressional appropriators hope to have completed all spending bills for fiscal year 2023. The government is scheduled to run out of money on October 1.
The Senate intends to hold a vote September 27 on a legislative vehicle for the short-term government funding bill at current levels. Though details haven’t been disclosed, it’s expected the vehicle will also contain an additional $12 billion in funds for Ukraine in its war with Russia; reauthorization of user fees for the Food and Drug Administration; disaster relief funds for the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi; home heating assistance; and money for resettling Afghan refugees.
West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has lobbied for adding a controversial permitting reform proposal, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2022, to the continuing resolution (CR). While Manchin has support of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the proposal faces opposition from both parties. If the measure fails to get the necessary 60 votes in a September 27 debate-closing vote to proceed to the CR, Schumer, a New York Democrat, has said he’ll pull the Manchin proposal from the bill.
Lawmakers are eager to return home at the end of the week to resume campaigning for the November midterm elections. A Saturday session, as suggested by House Democrats’ No. 2 official, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland, to ensure the CR’s passage seems unlikely.
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