The Senate is laboring to approve a $460 billion package of spending bills in time to meet a midnight deadline for avoiding a shutdown of many key federal agencies, a vote that would get lawmakers about halfway home in wrapping up their appropriations work for the 2024 budget year.
While the Senate is expected to approve the measure, progress was slow in getting the bill to a final vote. The package advanced on a key test vote Friday afternoon to limit debate, but it remains to be seen if senators can avoid a short shutdown into the weekend as some lawmakers voice concerns about the amount of spending in the bill.
“I would urge my colleagues to stop playing with fire here,” said Sen. Susan Collins, the top-ranking Republican member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “It would be irresponsible for us not to clear these bills and do the fundamental job that we have of funding government. What is more important?”
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