The Senate on Thursday passed a bill to avert a government shutdown ahead of a Friday night deadline, sending the legislation to President Biden's desk for a signature.
Senate absences and last-minute talks over barring funding for drug paraphernalia are slowing down government funding talks, pushing lawmakers within 48 hours of the shutdown deadline.
Conservatives are digging in, urging their GOP colleagues to stay in town to vote for proposals to defund President Biden's vaccine mandates as senators struggle to get a deal to quickly pass a bill to avert a government shutdown.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is looking to dial down the drama as he plots his party’s strategy for the upcoming Supreme Court fight.