Senate Majority Leader John Thune prioritizes a government funding extension over passing the SAVE America Act to avoid a midterm shutdown.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is prioritizing a continuing resolution to fund the government and prevent a shutdown before the fall midterm elections. While House Republicans have advanced a budget reconciliation package to pass the SAVE America Act, a top priority for President Trump, Thune intends to hold the House framework until the Senate can secure a funding extension. This strategy has drawn some criticism from fellow Republicans who believe the Senate should address both issues simultaneously. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise argued that lawmakers should be able to handle both tasks at once, noting that the House is currently passing both the reconciliation bill and a continuing resolution. Thune acknowledged the need for 50 votes to move the budget resolution but emphasized that keeping the government running remains the immediate necessity. While some GOP members worry that negotiating with Democrats might lead to concessions, the administration remains focused on securing a stable funding path to avoid a shutdown ahead of the upcoming elections.