Senate Democrats approved a budget resolution early Wednesday morning that will allow them to pass a $3.5 trillion spending plan without GOP support later this year.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) blocked the quick confirmation of dozens of State Department nominees on Wednesday morning, guaranteeing that they will stay in limbo until next month when the Senate returns from its summer break.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is sending a warning shot to President Biden and congressional leaders, saying he has "serious concerns" about spending $3.5 trillion on a massive package that Democrats want to pass later this year.
“We have a lot of things we want to get done. Obviously, the Build Back Better bill is important. Obviously, doing something about China is important. Obviously, many of the bills the House has sent over are important,” Schumer said late last week. “Our first priority is to fill up the president s Cabinet. We re making good progress this week and next week. And then we will decide on the next few things to go forward on.
Democrats will only be able to use two reconciliation bills this year, which can avoid the 60-vote filibuster in the Senate. They’ve already used one for the coronavirus bill, and House Democrats are at odds over what the scope of the second should be.