Senate leader warns of stalled appropriations and says senators will move to proceed to housing bill

A Senate lawmaker warned that stalled appropriations negotiations risk more continuing resolutions and said the Senate planned to vote on a motion to proceed to a housing bill later in the day.

The lawmaker said Democrats were providing "zero cooperation" on topline spending numbers and characterized their approach as seeking another government shutdown for political gain. He said Senator Susan Collins had made "three offers" on a topline in the appropriations process but described a lack of agreement on subcommittee numbers and on amendments that keep the process moving.

On housing, the lawmaker said senators were "very close" to agreement and that leadership planned to file or vote on a motion to proceed that day, after receiving a message from the House that would allow consideration. He said the aim was to finish in the Senate so the House could vote next week and the president could sign a final bill.

A reporter asked about a Washington Post report that the White House ballroom renovation now costs $600 million and that taxpayers might cover half that amount. The lawmaker said he had not seen a White House response to the reporting, noted that security requirements could involve public dollars "above and beyond the private money that's been raised," and said he would withhold judgment until he saw the details.

The lawmaker stressed that continuing resolutions are "not the ideal way" to fund government programs and said the Senate would continue to give members opportunities to vote to keep the government open.

Next steps: The lawmaker said a motion to proceed on the housing bill would be filed or voted on the same day; no recorded vote outcome appeared in the exchange.