One exception that did not make it into the bill, Democrats noted, was the administration\u2019s request to include $1 billion to build \u201cTrump-class\u201d battleships.<\/a><\/p>\n In another major difference with the House bill, Democrats say they also were able to include language that will ensure the administration cannot transfer funds from other programs to the Border Patrol.<\/p>\n The late-summer action on a funding fix is unusual. Normally, Congress waits until the final days or hours of a funding deadline to pass short-term funding extensions, but this time senators are acting two months before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. <\/p>\n Senate Majority Leader John Thune said passing the measure was his top priority going into the August recess. He noted that the American people have already experienced two record-breaking government shutdowns in the past 10 months.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to ensure that they do not face a third,\u201d Thune said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. left; and Sen. John Barasso, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Manuel Balce Ceneta)<\/p>\n Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. left; and Sen. John Barasso, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Manuel Balce Ceneta)<\/p>\n Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Both parties want to avoid another shutdown<\/p>\n A short-term funding extension is needed because Congress has struggled to get the dozen annual appropriations bills negotiated and approved before the Sept. 30 deadline. By extending government funding now, lawmakers can use the ensuing months to work out their differences on full-year funding.<\/p>\n It won\u2019t be an easy lift as Republicans seek a dramatic increase in defense spending while cutting non-defense spending. Trump proposed a 10% cut in non-defense programs overall. Meanwhile, he called for boosting defense spending by some 44%.<\/p>\n A potential shutdown before voters go to the polls is a scenario that both parties are looking to avoid, as polling indicated that neither party evaded blame for last fall\u2019s record 43-day shutdown.<\/a> Democrats sought to extend an expiring health insurance tax credit and refused to go along with a short-term spending bill that did not include that priority. But Republicans said that was a separate policy fight to be held at another time. <\/p>\n A second spending battle over funding for the Department of Homeland Security took 76 days to resolve when Democrats refused to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol without changes to those operations<\/a>. <\/p>\n![\"Senate](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1785718883_184_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1785718884_837_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n