(NewsNation) — The Senate’s vote on the House-passed budget bill is expected to happen early Saturday — technically after the federal government ran out of money at midnight ET. But first, lawmakers will hold votes on a handful of Republican-backed amendments.
Senate leaders reached an agreement on the amendment votes, none of which are expected to pass. If the Senate did approve any amendments, the entire bill would have to return to the House for another vote. House members have begun a two-week recess.
“Taking a handful of votes on proposals that are related to this massive spending bill is not too much to ask,” South Dakota Republican Senator John Thune said on X late Friday.
“Make no mistake, if the government shuts down, it will be because of one thing and one thing only: Democrat leaders protecting vulnerable incumbents from taking hard votes,” Thune wrote before Senate leaders agreed on taking those votes.
