Senate’s Legislative Rush Before Recess
Fox News’ chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports on the Senate’s hurried efforts to clear its agenda before the summer recess. President Donald Trump is demanding a vote on the ‘Save America Act’, but legislative challenges remain.
The Senate concluded its summer session at 4:57 a.m. Eastern Time. During this session, they confirmed Todd Blanche as the 88th Attorney General. They also approved a bipartisan temporary spending bill, which will likely help avoid a government shutdown in October.
Unfinished Senate Business
The U.S. Capitol Building seen at sunset. (Emma Woodhead/Fox News Digital)
Despite these accomplishments, the Senate did not attempt to pass the SAVE America Act. Proponents of the Act within the Republican Party did not push to extend the session into August.
The Senate also did not vote on a budget framework to attach election integrity measures. This oversight is likely to draw criticism from certain conservative quarters.
Proponents of the bill see the Senate’s adjournment without passing it as a chance to apply pressure on opponents.
Blocked Voter ID Bill
Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, proposed a narrower voter ID bill. The Senate blocked the bill, but the test vote put Democrats on record as opposing it. This move was strategized to strengthen Husted’s position in a fall election against former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.
Regulation of College Sports and Cryptocurrency
The Senate did not vote on a bipartisan bill to regulate funding for intercollegiate athletics. The bill had support from both the Big 10 and SEC.
President Trump urged the Senate to push through the Protect College Sports Act by staying in session in August. The legislation, crafted by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., faced internal Republican disputes over participation in women’s sports.
Though President Trump endorsed the bill, it lacked a vote before recess. Cruz announced that it would be prioritized upon the Senate’s return in September.
As for regulating cryptocurrency, the Senate had considered tackling the issue but failed to resolve differences. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., scheduled a procedural vote on cryptocurrency regulations for September 15.
Chad Pergram serves as Chief Congressional Correspondent for FOX News Channel and has been with the network since September 2007, based in Washington, D.C.