The U.S. Senate voted 63-35 to advance $460 billion in spending bills to avoid a government shutdown before a midnight deadline. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was one of 14 Republicans who voted in support of the measure.
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) also supported the bills, stating, “It would be irresponsible for us not to clear these bills and do the fundamental job that we have of funding government. What is more important?”
Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) voted against the bill, stating on X, “Today, the national debt is $34.5 trillion. I’m on the Senate floor talking about some of the 6,000+ earmarks in this $468 billion dollar monstrosity of a spending bill.”
Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said the bills were not what she would have written, but was proud the Senate was able to pass them, stating, “I am proud that we have protected absolutely vital funding that the American people rely on in their daily lives.”
