Gridlock crumbles as Senate advances spending bills in race against shutdown

The Senate advanced a package of spending bills late Friday night, breaking a partisan gridlock that threatened to derail the government funding process.

But a path forward was found, and the bills were put on the floor, and after several votes on amendments, the final package passed. However, the bill to fund the legislative branch was added to the package separately in response to a roadblock by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who ultimately relented to allow the bill to hit the floor. 

He announced his plan to vote against that piece of the package because the bill increased spending, like the others, but specifically for Congress. 

"I just think we need to set an example, and when we're increasing our spending 6% and others less," Kennedy said on the Senate floor. "We're sending a message that we're special, and I don't think we are."

Now it heads to the House, where Republicans are already incensed that the Senate's bills go over their approved spending levels. 

"These bills all mean a great deal to each of us," Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, said on the Senate floor.

But, with the deadline to fund the government by Sept. 30 - or to pass a short-term funding extension - fast-approaching, neither party wants to carry the blame for blowing up the appropriations process, at least for now.

While passing the spending package out of the upper chamber proved a bright spot, lawmakers are still looking for a path forward in confirming a slew of Trump's nominees.

Lawmakers are set to vote on a trio of nominees Friday night and are expected to run through nearly a dozen more over the weekend, unless a deal is made.