After Republican senators lunched with Vice President JD Vance, the contours of a deal to finish the Senate’s summer business started becoming clearer.
“There’s some movement in the right direction,” Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told Semafor.
Republican leaders are close to finishing the government spending bill, which may involve giving Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., a vote on scrapping a delay to a government ban on hemp products.
“There’s just one issue, the hemp issue,” said Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Senators are also trying to finalize the Russia sanctions bill, which may mean amendment votes narrowing President Donald Trump’s tariff authority.
Republicans also want to finish a nominee package. But attorney general nominee Todd Blanche is still short of 50 votes, Democrats aren’t ready to vote on cryptocurrency legislation, and finishing the college sports bill this week looks challenging.