The United States Senate recently achieved a significant legislative breakthrough, passing three crucial fiscal 2026 funding bills just ahead of its anticipated August recess, marking the first time the upper chamber has accomplished this feat since 2018. This pivotal development signals a concerted effort to advance the nation’s financial agenda despite persistent political divisions.
This legislative package included key appropriations for Military Construction-VA and Agriculture-FDA, which passed overwhelmingly with an 87-9 vote. Additionally, a separate legislative branch funding bill was allowed to proceed independently, securing an 81-15 vote, highlighting a strategic move to address specific objections from certain senators.
The decision to separate the legislative branch funding bill was primarily driven by Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), who voiced strong opposition to its $7.1 billion cost. Kennedy argued that the bill represented the largest spending increase among all appropriations measures, approximately 6%, and sought a distinct vote to register his disapproval.
Senator Kennedy emphasized the importance of congressional fiscal policy and responsibility, stating that while he acknowledged his colleagues’ diligent efforts, he believed Congress should set an example by reining in its own budget. His critique underscored a broader sentiment among some lawmakers regarding overall spending increases in the funding bills process.
Amidst these discussions, two notable amendments were passed by voice vote. One, proposed by Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), mandated that the Veterans Affairs Secretary report on staffing models to improve the timely and high-quality delivery of care for veterans. The second, introduced by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), strictly prohibited any cuts to the essential Veterans Crisis Line, reinforcing support for critical services for Veterans Affairs.
Earlier in the week, Senate Republicans faced challenges attempting to bundle a three-bill spending package that included Military Construction-VA, Agriculture-FDA, and Commerce-Justice-Science funding. This effort encountered hurdles due to concerns over hemp regulations and military construction priorities from GOP senators, while some Democrats raised objections related to abortion and food safety provisions, leading to a temporary stalemate.
The current legislative success comes after Congress failed to enact a full budget for fiscal 2025, instead relying on a series of continuing resolutions to maintain government funding through September 30. With the September 30 deadline looming, lawmakers are widely expected to pass a short-term funding measure, as completing all 12 annual appropriations bills by then appears unlikely. This reflects ongoing challenges in implementing comprehensive fiscal policy.
While this newly passed package may not become law in its current form, it establishes a crucial starting point for negotiations between the House, Senate, and both political parties on future funding bills. Senators are anticipated to remain in Washington, D.C., throughout the weekend to continue talks on a separate agreement aimed at clearing a backlog of Trump administration nominees awaiting confirmation.
