Senate rejects a budget waiver for the amendment to bar reconciliation funding for federal agencies with unobligated funds
On the Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Padilla Amdt. No. 4855)
APR 23, 2026 · 2:31 AM ET
A party-line vote. 14 votes short of the 60 needed.
What the Senate was voting on
The Senate voted on whether to waive budget rules for S.Amdt. 4855, which would create a point of order against considering certain reconciliation legislation that funds agencies with unobligated funds from earlier reconciliation bills. The underlying resolution sets the FY2026 federal budget, budget levels through FY2035, and reconciliation instructions. Supporters fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed, so the motion was rejected.
Set aside applicable budget rules for considering S.Amdt. 4855.
Keep applicable budget rules in place for considering S.Amdt. 4855.
Adds a Senate point of order against considering reconciliation legislation that provides funding to a federal agency with unobligated funds from earlier reconciliation bills.
Agreed to by both chambers on April 29, 2026. Concurrent resolutions do not go to the President.
- VP
- The Vice President can break ties on simple-majority votes, not on 60-vote ones.
60 is three-fifths of the 100 senators sworn in. Waiving a Budget Act limit takes three-fifths of sworn senators, not of those voting.
- VP
- The Vice President can break ties on simple-majority votes, not on 60-vote ones.
A straight party-line voteStraight party line.
Every vote on S.Con.Res. 33, in both chambersFailed in the Senate. Passed the House.
CHAMBER CONTRASTThe Senate rejected it 46–52 on April 23, 14 short of the 60 needed. The House agreed to it 215–211 on April 29.
- APR 21Discharged from committeeDISCHARGED
- APR 21#87Motion to proceedAGREED TO52–46
- APR 23#102THIS VOTEBudget waiver for the amendment to bar reconciliation funding for federal agencies with unobligated fundsFAILED46–5214 votes short of the 60 needed.
- APR 23#105On adoptionPASSED50–48
