Appropriations Committee

Kay Granger, the first GOP woman from Texas to win a House seat, died at 83. She served as the first female mayor of Fort Worth and held a 28-year congressional career, leading the Appropriations Committee.

Kay Granger, the first GOP woman from Texas to win a House seat, was the first female mayor of Fort Worth and served 28 years in Congress, leading the Appropriations Committee.

Senators on the Appropriations Committee agreed to a funding bill to prevent a government shutdown and fund the government through part of December. An initial procedural vote is scheduled for Monday night, with Senate leaders aiming to pass the bill before recess.

A bipartisan Senate government funding bill would temporarily block the Trump administration's proposal to assign political appointees control over federal research grants. The measure funds the government until December 11 but does not include this provision in the House-passed bill, requiring future reconciliation between the chambers.

Senate Republicans are recommending Darline Graham to assume committee assignments previously held by her brother, with the Senate expected to formalize the changes. Leadership roles on Budget and Appropriations subcommittees will also be filled, with Ron Johnson and Susan Collins expected to take interim positions.

Senate Republicans are considering a separate stopgap spending bill as House Republicans advance their own funding measure to keep the government operational until after the midterm elections. Senate Democrats and Republicans have discussed a Senate-specific stopgap bill with exceptions to avoid service disruptions, while House GOP leaders cite Senate delays as a reason to push their legislation. Senate Democratic leader Patty Murray expressed concerns about potential flaws in the House bill but acknowledged bipartisan efforts to explore alternatives.

The Senate is considering who will fill Sen. Lindsey Graham's committee seats on key panels including Judiciary, Appropriations, Environment and Public Works, and the Budget Committee. GOP leaders, including Chairman Chuck Grassley and Sen. Mike Crapo, are discussing the replacements, with Sen. Ron Johnson noted as a potential candidate for the Budget Committee.

Lindsey Graham's death disrupts the U.S. Senate's legislative agenda, particularly affecting key committees he chaired or led, including Budget, Appropriations, and Judiciary. His absence complicates efforts to advance spending bills, confirm the acting Attorney General, and impose sanctions on Russia, with potential long-term impacts on defense, foreign affairs, and judicial policies.

Lindsey Graham's death disrupts the Senate's legislative agenda, particularly affecting committee work on spending, judicial confirmations, and Russia sanctions. His absence narrows the GOP majority to 52-47, complicating efforts to advance key priorities ahead of the midterms.

Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced a $50.8 billion spending plan after a week-and-a-half delay, including funding for public education, energy policies, and teacher pensions. The bipartisan budget excludes tax code changes and recreational marijuana, with the governor's proposed funding sources now requiring legislative action due to a court ruling.

Senate Republicans are advancing next year’s government funding bill without Democratic support, causing a stalemate that risks disrupting bipartisan spending negotiations. A canceled Appropriations Committee meeting highlights the breakdown in cooperation between the parties.

Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, held a town hall event to address concerns about his past treatment of women and stabilize his campaign ahead of a primary. He denied allegations from an ex-girlfriend and emphasized his focus on Senate committee goals and criticism of John Fetterman's conduct.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary, faced questioning in back-to-back congressional hearings before the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees. Democrats sought to challenge his record leading the nation’s health agency, with topics including vaccines and the Merck & Co. Hepatitis B Vaccine Act (MAHA).