Key facts
- Senate Republicans delayed a vote on the SAVE America spending bill.
- The bill faced internal opposition from GOP lawmakers concerned about its scope and military funding.
- Senator Thom Tillis stated he would oppose the bill to protect vulnerable members.
- The legislation may be addressed in a post-election lame duck session.
- A voter ID bill and a college sports bill were also not advanced.
Senate Republicans have postponed a vote on the SAVE America spending bill, a move that could push consideration of the legislation into the post-election lame duck session. The decision comes after internal opposition from within the GOP conference, with some lawmakers concerned the bill is too broad and does not adequately fund the military.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) indicated he would oppose the budget resolution to shield vulnerable colleagues facing re-election from potential political targeting. "I’m going to support my members who are up for election," Tillis stated. "They’re the most important priority right now."
Senate Republicans are reportedly planning to revise the initial budget proposal following this pushback. Even proponents of the spending plan, the third attempted under Trump's second term, have cast doubt on its swift passage. Senate Budget Chair Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) suggested that passing the resolution in August would be difficult, and that Republicans would "start working on it diligently" upon their return.