Senate adjourns for August recess as SAVE America Act stalls
Republican leaders failed to force a floor vote on the SAVE America Act before the Senate recessed for August, and budget reconciliation efforts were delayed at President Trump's direction.
Senators wrapped up a late-night session on the eve of the August recess without objecting to adjournment, leaving the SAVE America Act and related budget measures unfinished.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) had said he would object and force a vote to keep the chamber in session, but the objection never materialized and a voice vote recorded a simple "no" to staying open.
The Senate also abandoned a proposed budget blueprint that would have allowed parts of the SAVE America Act to advance through reconciliation. Senate Budget Committee chair Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said the plan would be revised over the break to add more Pentagon funding, noting the change aligns with the president’s wishes.
Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) indicated another reconciliation bill will be needed but did not specify a timeline, adding that Johnson’s team will work on a new proposal during the recess.
A separate college-sports legislation package, promoted by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and aimed at stabilizing name, image and likeness rules, faced internal Republican resistance and was removed from the floor agenda, with Cruz later stating the bill will be delivered to the president after September.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was confirmed in a narrow 50-49 vote after a marathon session that extended past 3 a.m., with several senators awakened to cast the decisive votes.