Senate Recesses Without Pentagon Funds or $20 Billion Voting Plan as GOP Infighting Stalls Trump Priorities
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 8
Senate Recesses Without Pentagon Funds or $20 Billion Voting Plan as GOP Infighting Stalls Trump Priorities
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 8
Summary
Just before 5 a.m., the Senate left for its monthlong August recess after passing a stopgap funding bill and confirming Todd Blanche as attorney general, but it failed to advance extra Pentagon money or election-related spending.
Republican disagreements blocked a budget blueprint that would boost defense spending during the Iran war and reserve up to $20 billion for "election integrity" grants tied to parts of Trump's SAVE America Act.
Jon Husted's late-night photo-ID measure also failed, with Republicans saying no Democrats joined them, and SAVE champion Mike Lee ultimately did not force the chamber to stay in session.
The unfinished agenda also included stalled crypto legislation and a delayed college sports bill, pushing several politically fraught fights into the short stretch before the November midterms.