Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has indicated that plans are taking shape for a round of votes next week before the Senate departs for the August recess. Top priority is taking up the short-term funding bill (aka continuing resolution) passed by the House earlier this month that would fund the federal government into December. Appropriations Chairperson Susan Collins (R-ME) said text for the continuing resolution (CR) could be unveiled as early as this afternoon with a possible vote on Monday. The Senate CR may differ from the House as several Senators, including Chair Collins, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and all Senate Democrats want to attach language that would block the Administration from finalizing a plan to put political appointees in charge of approving grants. “I have made very clear that I oppose the new [OMB] rule,” Collins told reporters. “So, I hope we’ll take advantage of this opportunity to delay it. But that’s up to the leadership.” Thune told reporters, “There are a handful of issues under consideration, and I’m hoping that both sides can come together and figure the last couple of remaining issues out.” Thune must also determine how to proceed on the $95 billion budget reconciliation measure passed by the House. The next step is for the Senate to issue instructions to several committees, initiating a politically charged process that could take weeks or months. Senate leadership knows this delay will upset the President, who wants the budget bill passed immediately.