On Sunday, Senate appropriators released text of their own version of a stopgap spending deal, a continuing resolution (CR) which would extend current funding levels through December 11, a week later than what House Republicans proposed in their recent stopgap bill which passed last month. Senate leaders are hoping to pass this measure before they leave town on Friday for August recess, as both chambers hope to avert a potential government shutdown until after the midterm elections.
The Senate CR bill is similar to the Republican-led House version, which passed along largely party lines. However, the Senate version contains several significant elements that curb the administration’s authority.
Notably, this bill would block OMB’s proposed “uniform guidance” federal rule, which would require grants to be approved by senior political appointees, among other changes. The rule was set to go into effect on October 1, this legislation would freeze implementation of the rule until December 11. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collines (R-ME), said in a statement she has pushed “significant changes to the proposed rule,” while reiterating concerns about “its potential to politicize grants and harm small, rural communities, families, and biomedical research.”
Another restriction within the bill would block the administration from transferring further funding to Border Patrol.