‘Democrats want to fund the appropriations’
—
Lawmakers released a three-bill spending package Monday, marking the latest appropriations move since the bipartisan deal that ended the 43-day government shutdown in November 2025.
ThebipartisanspendingbillscoveragenciesrelatedtoCommerce,Justice,Scienceandcomeasmostlawmakerslooktoavoidanothershutdown—withtheJan.30governmentfundingfastapproaching.HouseSpeakerMikeJohnsonsaidheaimstobringthepackagetotheHousefloorlaterintheweek,andthetopDemocraticappropriatorsintheHouseandSenatehaveexpressedsatisfactionwiththepackage.(RELATED:LongestGovernmentShutdownInHistoryFinallyOfficiallyOverAfterMoreThanSixWeeks)
ThepackagefundstheEnergy,Commerce,InteriorandJusticedepartmentsthroughSept.30,theendofFiscalYear2026,andbringscongressionalleaders,suchasJohnsonandSenateMajorityLeaderJohnThune,onestepclosertotheirgoaloffundingthegovernmentthroughregularorderratherthanusingstopgapfundingbills.
DemocraticWashingtonSen.PattyMurray,therankingmemberoftheSenateAppropriationsComm
