Wednesday: Debate over Appropriations bills

The House will begin consideration of the $491 billion Defense appropriations bill. A multitude of amendments are expected, so a vote on final passage will not come until Thursday.

The Senate starts at 9:30 a.m. and will spend the day debating a “minibus” spending bill.

{mosads}On Tuesday, the Senate voted 95-3 to procedurally advance the $120 billion spending bill that will fund the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development.

Members will also vote on a motion to go to conference with the Senate on the Department of Veterans Affairs reform bills each chamber has passed.

On Tuesday, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he hopes conferees will be named, who will quickly iron out differences between the two measures.