Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to quickly take up an $8 billion disaster relief bill for Texas as soon as the House sends it over.
The House is expected to take up the legislation on Wednesday as a standalone bill, ignoring a request from the Trump administration to attach it to legislation that would raise the nation’s borrowing limit.
“I look forward to the House sending over legislation so the Senate can act as soon as possible,” McConnell, R-Ky., said.
McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor for the first time since senators returned from the August recess, said the chamber will focus on passing a spending bill by the end of September and raising the nation’s borrowing limit, also by Sept. 30, in addition to funding a spending bill to help Texas recover from Hurricane Harvey.
“These are the three important things before us now,” McConnell said.
McConnell said senators will also consider a bill reauthorizing defense spending, which will be managed by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, of Arizona, who has returned to work even though he is undergoing treatment for brain cancer.
McConnell had kind words for McCain, who a few weeks ago derailed the Senate GOP’s effort to advance a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.
“We are glad to have hime back with us,” McConnell said. “We know he’ll handle this year’s legislation with skill and dedication.”
