Overview
- Appropriators, led by Susan Collins, press to advance an FY2026 funding package as fiscal hawks object to higher spending levels and earmarks.
- Thune has not decided whether Senate Republicans will offer an alternative to Democrats’ bill to extend Obamacare premium subsidies before the Dec. 31 expiration.
- The appropriations stalemate strains Thune’s pledge to handle spending bills through regular order rather than brokered omnibus deals.
- Some Republicans urge a shift to a harder-edged, McConnell-style approach, yet Thune signals he will keep decisions driven by the conference.
- A Senate effort to add a provision letting GOP senators sue over past phone seizures was removed in the House, highlighting friction with Speaker Mike Johnson.