WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate remained in session past its planned August recess Tuesday as Republican infighting blocked the agreements needed to move a pile of unfinished business.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune called the situation a "train wreck." He told CBS News on Thursday that "a lot of stuff" had piled up, preventing a swift exit from Capitol Hill.
The logjam includes a government funding bill that must pass to avoid a shutdown later this year. A Russia sanctions measure with bipartisan support has also stalled over procedural hurdles.
President Donald Trump has pressured lawmakers to pass the SAVE America Act, a GOP election bill he has called his No. 1 priority. Conservatives in the Republican caucus have also pushed hard for the measure, deepening the party's internal divisions.
Several key nominations await Senate confirmation before the recess, including Todd Blanche for attorney general.
Republicans have been unable to agree on a process to speed consideration of these measures. Without unanimous consent or a cloture vote, each bill requires extensive floor debate and multiple roll calls—consuming time the chamber doesn't have.
That deadlock has handed leverage to a vocal minority able to dictate the pace of action in the full Senate.
The extended session pushes back senators' schedules for constituent events and campaign activities ahead of the November elections.
The SAVE America Act's stall also slows Trump's effort to show voters he is delivering on campaign promises. The delay in confirming Blanche holds up the assembly of his Justice Department leadership.
No agreement has emerged to allow senators to fast-track votes and begin their summer recess.
