Thune eyes standalone defense funding amid shutdown
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Wednesday he’s prepared to bring a full‑year Defense appropriations bill to the floor as bipartisan talks on a short‑term CR remain frozen, a piecemeal strategy that could reopen government department by department. Appropriations Chair Susan Collins backs immediately moving finished bills and naming conferees, while Ranking Member Patty Murray cautioned it wouldn’t resolve the CR impasse and noted any bill must also clear the House and get the president’s signature; without action, troops are likely to miss their Oct. 15 paycheck.
Politics
Military
📌 Key Facts
- Thune told Axios he is “ready to call up the Defense approps bill,” contingent on consent or using a House‑passed package.
- Appropriations Chair Susan Collins urged bringing finished bills to the floor and designating Senate conferees.
- Appropriations Ranking Member Patty Murray said bringing Defense won’t change the need to negotiate a CR and still faces House and White House hurdles.
- Axios notes there is almost no way a full defense bill could pass both chambers by Oct. 15, risking a missed military paycheck.
- Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to call the House back for a narrower military‑pay bill.