The Latest Breaking News from John Thune

The Senate shot down dueling versions of a short-term funding patch Friday before leaving town for a weeklong recess.

Mass approval of nominees follows rules change that make it easier to approve lower-level Trump nominations.

Top Senate Republicans and Democrats reached a deal to hold votes Friday on competing approaches to averting a partial government shutdown.

Congress is on the verge of a showdown over a bill to keep the government open after Sept. 30, with the House expected to vote Friday on a stopgap funding bill.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump "wants a shutdown" and is refusing to address rising health costs as Congress barrels toward a Sept. 30 funding deadline, sharpening a fight over expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies that could push premiums higher for millions.

GOP lawmakers want to add their own security funding to the package.

Top Senate Republican says Democrats see shutdown as ‘politically advantageous’ as 30 September deadline looms

President Trump will be on the road during stopgap spending talks, unlike his hands-on approach earlier this year on a GOP budget mega bill.

For months, Democrats have forced the GOP majority to use valuable floor time on procedural votes, slowing down the confirmation process.

The bill would label Russia and Belarus state sponsors of terrorism.

Democrats have looked to force votes relating to the Epstein files to focus public attention on President Donald Trump's connection with him.