Senate Seeks Agreement to Expedite Legislative Priorities Before August Recess

By August 6, 2026 / 2:07 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — The Senate is working to fast-track several priorities as outstanding issues like government funding and the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general are unresolved before their August recess.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated, “There’s still a lot of stuff that’s piled up, trying to get through.” He emphasized the need for cooperation from Democrats to process these matters swiftly. Thune aims to tackle essential items such as a continuing resolution to fund the government past the midterm elections, a package of executive branch nominees, a Russia sanctions bill, a bipartisan college athletics measure, and Blanche’s confirmation vote.

Earlier this week, Thune set up initial steps for votes on these priorities. However, full Senate cooperation is required to expedite the process. Thune intends to keep the Senate in session until most of the tasks are completed, which could delay the senators’ five-week August recess.

I would like to be able to get as much business done as we can, knowing full well that when we get back here in September, it’s going to be a mad rush to Election Day,” Thune, a South Dakota Republican, remarked earlier this week.

If no agreement is reached, the agenda might extend into the following week, according to Thune’s spokesperson. Several sticking points remain, especially within the Republican conference. One area of concern is the continuing resolution, with Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina objecting to the delay of a ban on certain hemp products due to concerns about cannabis use among minors.

Regarding Todd Blanche’s confirmation, his support is not guaranteed. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine announced her opposition to Blanche, which adds constraints as Republicans can’t afford to lose additional votes. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana have not revealed their voting intentions. Democrats may also resist speeding up Blanche’s confirmation due to their opposition.

Additionally, the Senate is deciding how to move forward on a House-passed budget resolution prioritized by the White House. This resolution initiates the reconciliation process for funding the Pentagon and farm aid without Democratic support. It also includes parts of the voting regulations bill, the SAVE America Act, that the President is urging Congress to pass.

Thune mentioned uncertainty within his conference about the budget resolution support and the complexity of a third reconciliation package. The President recently encouraged the Senate to stay in Washington until they address the budget resolution or the SAVE America Act, while some GOP members threaten to block Senate adjournment. “It’s still a work in progress,” Thune said.