Senate Confirms Attorney General and Approves Spending Bill Before Recess

Senators departed Washington for a scheduled five-week break on Saturday. This followed intense negotiations to determine legislative priorities before their departure. The discussions concluded with a series of early morning votes.

The Senate approved a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing a federal government shutdown beginning in October. This proposal now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Additionally, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as the attorney general by a narrow 50-49 margin. Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, parted from their party by opposing the nomination.