Senate to vote on spending bills next week; Schumer reiterates bipartisanship will avoid shutdown

Senators will get their first chance to advance spending legislation next week ahead of the encroaching deadline to fund the government.

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced Wednesday that lawmakers would vote on a trio of spending measures next week.

The package, called a minibus, will include legislation to fund military construction and the VA, agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development for fiscal 2024, which begins Oct. 1.

Mr. Schumer, New York Democrat, expects a vote on Monday for the bills. He lauded Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray, Washington Democrat, and Sen. Susan Collins, top Republican on the committee, for their work in keeping the appropriations process bipartisan.

Mr. Schumer reiterated that, for Congress to avoid a shutdown, work has to remain bipartisan — lawmakers have until the end of the month to advance a short-term spending resolution that continues funding the government while next year’s spending measures are still worked on.

So far, the Senate has moved all 12 of its spending measures out of committee, but has not voted on any of them. Meanwhile, the House has passed only one spending bill.

Mr. Schumer placed the onus of a partial shutdown on House Republicans.

“That is where we’re headed, we’re moving in a great path in the Senate,” Mr. Schumer said. “We hope the House comes to its senses and follows our example and passes bipartisan legislation, and then we will be able to avoid a government shutdown.”