Senate rejects a budget waiver for Challenge bills that do not lower home electricity bills
On the Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Markey Amdt. No. 5001)
APR 23, 2026 · 1:13 AM ET
Party-line vote, except 2 Republicans who crossed. 12 votes short of the 60 needed.
What the Senate was voting on
The Senate voted on whether to waive budget rules for S.Amdt. 5001, an amendment to S.Con.Res. 33 that would create a point of order against considering measures that would not lower home electricity bills. S.Con.Res. 33 sets the congressional budget for fiscal 2026 and budgetary levels through 2035, and provides reconciliation instructions for legislation that increases the deficit. The motion fell 12 votes short of the 60 needed.
Set aside applicable budget rules for S.Amdt. 5001.
Keep the applicable budget rules in place for S.Amdt. 5001.
Creates a Senate point of order against considering measures that would not lower home electricity 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.
Party line, with 2 Republicans crossing2 Republicans crossed. It wasn’t enough.
Every vote on S.Con.Res. 33, in both chambersFailed in the Senate. Passed the House.
CHAMBER CONTRASTThe Senate rejected it 48–50 on April 23, 12 short of the 60 needed, with 2 Republicans voting yes. The House agreed to it 215–211 on April 29.
- APR 21Discharged from committeeDISCHARGED
- APR 21#87Motion to proceedAGREED TO52–46
- APR 23#98THIS VOTEBudget waiver for Challenge bills that do not lower home electricity billsFAILED48–5012 votes short of the 60 needed.
- APR 23#105On adoptionPASSED50–48
