GOP delays Trump-backed spending bill, pushing action past the midterms

Senate Republicans punt a sweeping Trump-backed spending package, delaying action on a defense-heavy budget framework that would bypass a filibuster via budget reconciliation. With September votes uncertain and vulnerable senators in play ahead of the November election, leaders hint final passage could slip into the post‑election lame‑duck session as they recalibrate after pushback on items like food aid and other provisions in the plan.