Staff Reports
Senate Republicans are sprinting to the finish line before the August recess. The Senate is juggling a short-term spending bill to stop a government shutdown, a big package of new spending tied to the Iran war and farm aid, and a stack of Trump administration nominations. Leadership says they want votes wrapped up this week so members can go home and campaign — but the clock and the rules are not their friends.
What’s on the to-do list
The top items are simple to name and hard to finish. First, a continuing resolution to fund the government through early December so federal agencies don’t shut down when current funding runs out. Second, moving a large batch of nominees, including the new head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who the Senate already confirmed, and a slate that includes Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche (nominee for Attorney General). Third, pushing a roughly $95 billion package for military needs tied to the Iran war and for farm assistance, a plan being routed through reconciliation in the House so it can avoid Democratic votes in that chamber.
Why the rush — and why it’s tricky
The hurry is political and practical. Many senators want to be home campaigning, and Republican leaders like Senate Majority Leader John Thune want to clear business while attendance is high. But the Senate’s rules make big spending measures and controversial nominations hard to do quickly. A stopgap measure that reaches December still leaves a short window in October to finish regular appropriations, and reconciliation is no guaranteed path in the Senate where rules and holdouts can slow things down.
Todd Blanche, bargaining, and the tradeoffs
The Blanche nomination shows how this week’s fights are being settled — not on principle alone, but by deals. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche moved to revoke a disputed “anti-weaponization” fund after talks with Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, and that switch helped narrow opposition in committee. This is politics in plain sight: confirmations get done when nominees make concessions and when leaders cut deals to protect other priorities like spending bills and big packages.
It’s good to see Senate Republicans trying to avoid a shutdown and to clear needed nominees. Still, rushing votes while leaving big fights unresolved is a recipe for October stress. If leaders want to show voters they can govern, they should finish the continuing resolution, pass sensible security funding, and confirm essential officials before everyone heads back on the campaign trail. Otherwise, expect more last-minute theater — and yes, that will be blamed on both sides, even when the real blame should stick where the job wasn’t finished.
