Overview

• Sen. Tina Smith was admitted to George Washington University Hospital on July 16 after feeling unwell during late-night procedural votes.
• Her absence gave Republicans a temporary functional majority in the evenly split chamber and advanced their push for spending cuts.
• The rescissions package seeks to reclaim roughly $9.4 billion in prior appropriations, including large reductions to foreign aid and public broadcasting.
• With Democrats down one member, Republicans no longer depend on Vice President Vance to break ties on crucial vote-a-rama motions.
• Senators expect to hold final passage votes later today as Smith is slated to return to the Senate floor imminently.