Schumer Caves Again Ahead Of Midterms, Senate Averts Oct Shutdown
Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, who have not gotten together on much of President Donald Trump’s agenda, managed a big bipartisan win late last week before adjourning for a month.
The Senate on Saturday approved legislation to keep the federal government funded beyond the midterm elections, sending the measure to the House as lawmakers work to avoid a government shutdown before the Oct. 1 funding deadline.
The bill passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 90-6, with Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., voting “present.”
The measure would extend current federal funding levels through Dec. 11, while including several targeted exceptions.
Senate leaders accelerated consideration of the legislation under a bipartisan agreement reached Saturday morning, allowing lawmakers to complete action on the bill before departing for the August recess, Politico reported.
The House and Senate have now approved separate continuing resolution bills to avert a government shutdown, leaving lawmakers to reconcile the differences before the start of the new fiscal year.
The House measure would fund the government through Dec. 4, while the Senate version extends funding through Dec. 11.
The Senate bill also sets the stage for a broader debate later this year over the Trump administration’s proposal to give political appointees greater authority over the approval of federal grants.
The legislation would temporarily prevent the administration from implementing that policy during the life of the continuing resolution, setting up a potential confrontation when Congress revisits government funding in December.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said he intends to oppose any long-term restrictions on the administration’s grant proposal.
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she will “continue to oppose” the Trump administration plans “because I think they politicize the grants process, and I don’t want that to occur.”
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the committee’s ranking Democrat, also said she is prepared to challenge the administration’s proposal.
The Senate also rejected an amendment offered by Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., that would have allowed a federal ban on intoxicating hemp products to take effect in November.
Senate leaders, at the administration’s request, instead included language delaying implementation of the ban.
In addition, the Senate bill specifies that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection would not receive additional funding under the temporary spending measure, noting that Congress previously approved approximately $70 billion for those agencies earlier this year.
That provision may become a point of contention in the House. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., said it “could be a dealbreaker,” while Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., indicated he had not yet decided whether he would support the Senate version of the legislation, Politico said.
“I do not like the Senate language,” Van Drew said, noting the grant approval provision. “It’s one I would want to know what the president thinks.”
The White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy endorsing the Senate’s continuing resolution.
The administration did not release a comparable statement supporting the House-passed measure, which omitted several funding increases and policy authorizations requested by the White House, Politico said.
“Every Member of Congress should support passage of this [continuing resolution] to keep the Government open as discussions on full year appropriations continue,” the statement said.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, praised the Senate’s continuing resolution, citing provisions that would temporarily block the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the federal grant approval process and prevent additional funding for immigration enforcement agencies under the stopgap measure.
“This bill is a clear improvement over the House Republican continuing resolution, but we are still nearly two months away from the end of the fiscal year and should be working together to pass full-year funding bills,” she said in a statement, per Politico.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
