Senate’s Upcoming Vote on Pentagon Spending Bill

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has announced that a full-year Pentagon spending bill will be brought to the floor on Thursday. This move adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing shutdown debate, effectively putting pressure on Democrats to oppose the funding measure while trying to keep healthcare discussions at the forefront.

Democrats are, for the most part, aligned in their opposition to a “clean” bill proposed by Republicans that would fund the government until November 21. The Senate rejected a similar continuing resolution for the ninth time on Wednesday and is expected to vote again on the temporary funding measure on Thursday.

The vote on the defense bill carries some risk, with many Senate leaders expressing uncertainty about their plans as of Wednesday.

This year-long funding bill emerged from a bipartisan appropriations process, sailing through committee with a 26-3 vote earlier this year. It aims to secure military pay, which could be at risk if the government shutdown stretches into the end of the month.

Democrats, however, are keen to maintain a united front against the Trump administration, while expressing concerns about any potential changes that Republicans might make to the defense bill post-vote.

“It seems like a tough vote,” Thune remarked to The Hill on Wednesday. He noted that Democrats have called for a standard appropriations process, and that the current situation adds to the complications. “As we sit here and vote every day, if they continue to vote to keep the government shut down, we have to move the needle on what else we need to do,” Thune added.

Apart from the Pentagon bill, the Senate is also looking to discuss a proposal that would enable lawmakers to collaborate with the House on a “minibus” of three bills that received initial approval earlier this year. There are discussions within Senate Republican ranks about attaching various other spending bills to the Pentagon bill as well.

This could include funding for the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, which have support from Democrats. Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also mentioned her aim to include funding for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development departments, among others.

The real question, though, is whether Democrats will take the proposal seriously. Some high-profile party leaders expressed reluctance on Wednesday when asked how they would approach the vote.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats need clarity on what Republicans plan to add to the bill before making their choice. “It remains to be seen what they will propose,” Sen. Patty Murray concurred, emphasizing that they would wait to see developments.

The Senate could technically vote on defense spending bills approved by the House, but this is expected to change significantly in the Senate version, along with other funding measures agreed by both parties.

If the bill passes the procedural hurdles, the Senate might pivot to replacing items—though this would require unanimous consent from all members, which is uncertain at this stage. The situation remains quite fluid, especially given Democratic resistance to any partisan moves from the Trump administration for restoring funding that once enjoyed bipartisan support.

“As far as I can tell, Patty Murray has shown no sign of bipartisan cooperation or any willingness to put guardrails around what they’re planning,” remarked Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. He indicated that it might not be the right time for a vote since no clear parameters have been presented.

While Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has indicated some support for the full-year funding proposal—given that it aligns with several Democratic priorities—she remains reserved, waiting for more details to emerge about its components.

“I think it will help,” she commented, acknowledging there might be other bills in play, but she refrained from taking a definitive position just yet.

Should the defense bill fail to pass, it could place Democrats in a tough spot, facing backlash for blocking military personnel payments. Interestingly, the Trump administration announced plans to allocate $8 billion in unused research and development funds to military personnel, with payments anticipated in two weeks.

In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson has stated he won’t call for a vote on the Pentagon bill until the government reopens but remains doubtful about the Senate’s ability to pass the bill anyway. The Senate version differs in key aspects from the House bill and requires House approval.

Johnson has hinted that Democrats might resort to similar political tactics to derail progress. “I hope you’re surprised by it,” he suggested.

Senate Republicans continue to assert that Democrats should support the funding bill, referring to its previous bipartisan passage in July. They advocate that the current dynamics of how funding items are assessed should remain unchanged.

“This is a bill that passed the committee 26-3,” John Barrasso, the Senate Majority Whip, emphasized. “What’s their plan? Are Democrats going to change their minds?”