The spending package that passed the House in a 339-85 vote earlier this week was passed in the Senate on Friday. The $460 billion spending package will avert a partial government shutdown. The vote was 63-35, to set up the package of six spending bills for final passage, which is expected either later Friday or Saturday, The Hill reported.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., voted to pass the package, while Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who are looking to replace McConnell as GOP leader, voted against it, writes Just the News.
“The Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs, as well as military construction and water development, would all be funded by the spending package” adds Just the News.
Earmarks received scrutiny from House Republicans and Senate conservatives led by GOP Senators Rick Scott, Fla.; Mike Lee, Utah; and Rand Paul, R-Ky. They opposed the bill, particularly the “more than 6,000 earmarks that add up to more than $12 billion in spending.”
One Democratic senator also voted against the spending package while 14 Republicans voted for it. The package follows the spending caps deal that was reached last year between President Biden, then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
