Senate passes funding bills today in a rare show of bipartisan cooperation just before lawmakers head into their August recess. The legislation covers military, agriculture, and legislative operations.
The Senate approved three key appropriations bills with broad support—two grouped together for Military Construction–Veterans Affairs and Agriculture–FDA, and one separate bill for the Legislative Branch. The vote tally stood at 87–9 for the combined package and 81–15 for the legislative operations funding.
These bills allocate over $180 billion in total, including:
- $154 billion for veterans’ services and military construction
- $27 billion+ for the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration
- $7.1 billion for the operations of the U.S. Congress
This early movement in the appropriations process marks the first time since 2018 that the Senate has passed such bills before the August break. Lawmakers from both parties called it a necessary step to avoid the looming threat of a government shutdown.
Highlights of the Passed Bills:
- Strengthened funding for the Veterans Crisis Line
- Requirement for updated VA staffing assessments
- Protection of FDA oversight and agricultural services
- Rejection of last-minute amendments targeting earmark discussions
Leaders in the Senate hope this progress will accelerate budget negotiations once Congress returns in September. While the bills passed today won’t fully prevent a shutdown, they represent an effort to show legislative control over federal spending and restore timely governance.
More spending bills—including those related to Defense, Justice, and Health—remain in negotiation. Lawmakers may still consider a temporary funding measure in September to ensure continuity into the new fiscal year beginning October 1.
As the Senate passes funding bills with bipartisan consensus, attention now turns to the House, where negotiations could become more partisan. Still, this initial step provides rare early momentum in the long and often chaotic appropriations cycle.
Stay tuned for how the remaining budget battles unfold in the weeks ahead—and feel free to share your thoughts on how these funding choices may impact your community.