Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said he may use a House budget resolution or a third reconciliation package to fund the government [1].
This strategy would allow Republicans to potentially bypass Democratic votes to prevent a government shutdown. The move is particularly urgent as the U.S. seeks to maintain military funding during an ongoing conflict with Iran [2].
Speaking during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., Thune said he discussed the potential for a budget resolution to serve as a vehicle for funding [1]. "If they give us a budget resolution as a vehicle, we will hold that subject to obviously being able to move a continuing resolution to fund the government," Thune said [1].
Thune said that a third budget reconciliation package [3] is currently on the table to address military requirements [2]. This approach leverages the reconciliation process, which typically requires a simpler majority in the Senate than standard legislation.
Beyond the legislative mechanism, Thune said there is a need for immediate coordination between the two chambers of Congress. "It's time to start thinking about bringing the GOP-controlled House back to Washington to vote on government funding," Thune said [4].
Reports on the timing of these statements vary, with some sources placing the remarks on Monday and others on Tuesday [1, 4]. Despite the discrepancy in timing, the Majority Leader's focus remains on securing funds without reliance on the opposition party to avoid a lapse in federal services.
“A third budget reconciliation package to fund the military amid the ongoing conflict with Iran is on the table.”
By pursuing a third reconciliation package, Senate Republicans are attempting to exercise maximum unilateral control over the federal budget. This tactic minimizes the leverage of Democratic lawmakers and allows the GOP to prioritize military spending for the Iran conflict without the need for a bipartisan compromise, though it increases the political risk of a highly partisan funding bill.
