Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) says he thinks pocket rescission is a mistake: "Anything that gives our Democrat colleagues a reason not to do the bipartisan appropriations process is not a good thing. If they can use that as an excuse, that causes us a problem." "I do not think this

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Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says he plans to meet with Zohran Mamdani “soon.” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has already met with Mamdani but Schumer has yet to meet with or endorse Dem nominee for NYC mayor.

Leader John Thune tells reporters that Senate Republicans will move forward with a rules change to speed the confirmation of stalled Trump nominees. “Expect us to move forward with a plan to clear the backlog” of 145 Trump nominees, he tells reporters at leadership presser.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says the Senate could take up a resolution to extend President Trump's emergency control of DC police force but notes the House would act first: "I assume ... if the House acts that we'll try and schedule that vote but it'll depend a

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a key defense hawk, says without hesitation that Republicans will vote to table Schumer amendment to defense bill to direct DOJ to release all Epstein-related documents.

Leader John Thune looked annoyed when asked about Chuck Schumer’s floor ambush to force a vote on an amendment forcing Justice Department to release all Epstein files. “It’s a political stunt and we’ll dispose of it,” Thune says of Schumer’s amendment.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) joins with Hawley in voting against motion to table amendment directing Justice Department to release all Epstein files. Vote is deadlocked at 49-49 and Republican leaders are waiting for Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), a key swing vote, to show up.

Senate votes 51-49 to table Schumer amendment to direct Justice Department to release all Epstein-related files. Sens. Josh Hawley and Rand Paul are the only two Republicans who vote against tabling amendment.

Thune says ball is in Dems’ court on nominees & rules changes. “The deal is there, they just have to be willing to take yes for an answer.” He says it would be limited to confirming 15 nominees en banc per committee

Democratic leaders are threatening to block government funding past Sept. 30 if Republicans refuse to extend the expiring ACA subsidies or boost Medicaid spending but centrist Dems worry that brinksmanship and a possible shutdown is a no-win scenario. thehill.com/homenews/senat…