On Monday, Senate Democrats took steps to bypass the Senate’s regulations to push forward a previously halted government funding bill, following Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) opposition to the bill the previous week.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) declared on the Senate floor, “Sen. Murray is initiating a move to override Rule XVI and will seek closure on this action.” He further clarified, “Our aim is to progress with the minibus and ensure the funding process remains on course in the Senate.”
Before this hiccup, the Senate had been efficiently advancing the yearly budget bills, with all 12 receiving bipartisan approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee. However, Johnson’s recent actions disrupted this flow.
He utilized Rule XVI, which essentially prevents senators from broadening the range of funding bills. This stopped Senate Appropriations Committee leaders, Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), from proposing an alternative amendment to the bill concerning Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
