Senate advances temporary spending bill as border security talks continue

The Senate voted to proceed with the continuing resolution to keep the government funded until Nov. 17 on Thursday, as they race toward preventing a government shutdown.

Senators voted 76 to 22 to proceed with consideration of the legislation, setting up a Saturday vote at a 60 vote threshold. In addition to funding the government at current levels, the legislation would provide nearly $6 billion in aid to Ukraine between funding between the Departments of Defense and State Department. There is also nearly $6 billion in disaster relief.

The deal would also extend the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization through the end of the year. The authorization was slated to run out at the same time as government funding.

A group of mostly Republican senators and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) is working on an amendment that would deliver billions in border security funding in an effort to appease House Republicans. While work is ongoing, Senators are working to deliver $6 billion in border funding, the same amount that is proposed for disaster aid and Ukraine defense. It’s unclear if these changes would be enough to get House Republicans on board. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told a group of reporters on Thursday he had spoken with Sinema about adding immigration policy changes into the continuing resolution.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: WHAT WILL BE OPEN AND WHAT WILL BE CLOSED

Additionally, McCarthy has previously said Ukraine aid should move separately from government funding, The proposal is also likely a nonstarter with many House Republicans who have made it clear they oppose federal funding at current levels and even have demanded steep cuts in a temporary funding deal.

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Congress has until Saturday night to pass a short-term deal to extend funding while negotiations continue or the government will shut down. Any legislation to keep the government from shutting down requires 60 votes to avoid a filibuster.