Scalise Presses Senate GOP to Advance $79 Billion Reconciliation Bill as Thune Lacks 50 Votes
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 23
Scalise Presses Senate GOP to Advance $79 Billion Reconciliation Bill as Thune Lacks 50 Votes
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 23
Summary
Steve Scalise said pressure is building on Senate Republicans to move a reconciliation package, dismissing demands to raise its $67 billion defense funding or $12 billion in farm aid.
John Thune said he still cannot reach 50 votes for a budget resolution, with Mitch McConnell absent for health reasons and Senate Republicans focused instead on funding the government.
Many GOP senators see another party-line bill before the midterms as politically risky, especially if it forces vulnerable incumbents into difficult votes on issues such as food aid.
That resistance also extends to the SAVE America Act, which Thune said again lacks enough GOP support and does not have backing to overcome the Senate filibuster.
The standoff leaves House leaders pushing action now while Senate Republicans increasingly eye a delay until after November, when House members expect a fourth reconciliation bill centered on fraud.