Today on the Hill: Senate Picks Up Debate on First Minibus

The Senate is set to resume debate on a $214 billion minibus containing fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations bills for Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment, and Transportation-HUD. While Senators originally aimed to clear the spending package this week, consideration of the measure is expected to bleed into next week as leadership has not reached an agreement on which amendments will receive a vote on the floor. In other key spending news, Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) stated yesterday that lawmakers will likely need to pass another continuing resolution before the Nov. 21 government funding deadline as negotiations continue to lag. Chairman Shelby speculated that the next stopgap would fund the government through February or March of next year.

Meanwhile, House lawmakers have adjourned for the week to accommodate members attending funeral services for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD). The lower chamber will resume legislative business on Monday, Oct. 28.