US Senate rushes to pass funding and appointments before August recess

The United States Senate accelerated a schedule to clear a government funding gap, confirm acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and advance the SAVE America voter‑identification bill before the chamber’s August recess. Senate leaders outlined a plan to vote on a continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through Dec. 11, confirm Blanche, and consider a voter ID measure introduced by Sen. Jon Husted, along with other legislation such as the Protect College Sports Act. The timetable called for voting through the night into early Saturday, with objections required by 3:25 p.m. EDT. A group of senators, led by Sen. Mike Lee, formally objected to the schedule, arguing it limited their ability to force a vote on the recess adjournment. The push reflects pressure from President Donald Trump’s SAVE America demands and tests Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s ability to manage the legislative pile‑up.