Senators are now debating President Donald Trump’s package to formalize Department of Government Efficiency spending cuts.
On Tuesday night, lawmakers narrowly moved to begin the debate, after Vice President JD Vance cast tie-breaking votes on two separate procedural steps.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced that all time for debate will expire today at 1:30 p.m. ET.
What happens next: At that time, the Senate can begin their extended voting series (which will be like a mini vote-a-rama) on the spending cuts package. We’ll have to see how many amendments Democrats can come up with that are considered “germane” and fall within the strict guidelines of appropriate amendments for rescissions. Because the rules are stricter than in a typical vote-a-rama, this is not expected to be as drawn out of a process as the last full vote-a-rama on reconciliation a few weeks ago.
The vote series will end with the Senate adopting a manager’s amendment and final passage, likely at some point late Wednesday or early Thursday, depending on how long it drags out.
Another tie-breaker?: It is always possible other Republicans could turn against the package in a final vote, but it appears poised to pass with another potential tie-breaking vote from the vice president.
Then, the package moves to the House, where it will have to be adopted again with the Senate’s changes.
The Senate and the House must pass the package to claw back billions in already appropriated federal funds for foreign aid and public broadcasting programs must pass by Friday, under an obscure presidential budget law used to circumvent the filibuster.