Senate rejects a budget waiver for the amendment to bar deferrals or rescissions of appropriations within 90 days of expiration
On the Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Merkley Amdt. No. 4287)
JAN 30, 2026 · 6:03 PM ET
A party-line vote. 13 votes short of the 60 needed.
What the Senate was voting on
The Senate voted on whether to waive the budget rules for S.Amdt. 4287, which would limit proposals to rescind or defer appropriations nearing expiration. H.R. 7148 provides appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for the rest of FY2026 and continues FY2026 funding for the Department of Homeland Security through February 13, 2026. The motion was 13 votes short of the 60 needed and was rejected.
Set aside the budget rules that S.Amdt. 4287 would otherwise break.
Keep the budget rules in place; this was not a vote on S.Amdt. 4287 itself.
Bars special messages under the Impoundment Control Act from proposing to rescind or defer budget authority that expires within 90 days of the message.
Signed into law on Feb. 3, 2026 as Public Law 119-75, 14 days after it was introduced.
- 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 H.R. 7148, in both chambersFailed in the Senate. Passed the House.
CHAMBER CONTRASTThe Senate rejected it 47–52 on Jan. 30, 13 short of the 60 needed. The House passed it 217–214 on Feb. 3, with 21 Democrats voting yes.
- JAN 22#39Previous question on the rule (H.Res. 1014)AGREED TO215–213
- JAN 22#41On the rule (H.Res. 1014)AGREED TO214–213
- JAN 22#45On passagePASSED341–88Both parties mostly voted yes
- JAN 27Cloture motion filedFILED
- JAN 29#13Cloture on the motion to proceedFAILED45–55
- JAN 30Cloture motion filedFILED
- JAN 30#19THIS VOTEBudget waiver for the amendment to bar deferrals or rescissions of appropriations within 90 days of expirationFAILED47–5213 votes short of the 60 needed.
- JAN 30#20On passagePASSED71–2922 Democrats voted yes
- FEB 3Sent to the PresidentTO PRESIDENT
- FEB 3Signed into lawSIGNED
