The Senate is searching for a path to wrap up its to-do list and leave for a month-long recess, but a bipartisan bill to set rules for compensating and recruiting college athletes is holding up a broader deal.
The chamber is trying to find an agreement on quickly passing its top priorities before leaving: a stopgap government funding bill and confirming Todd Blanche as attorney general. The so-called NIL bill, however, has become a “chokepoint,” one senator reportedly said.
The stopgap funding bill has found overwhelming bipartisan support on earlier procedural votes.
And Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said Friday morning in a Senate floor speech that he will support acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, likely allowing his nomination to pass the Senate. Cassidy was the final holdout on the nomination.
As the lame duck senator announced his decision, he hesitated, noting he would catch criticism for his decision but assuring his Louisiana constituents that he had thoughtfully considered the vote.
The Senate earlier Friday overwhelmingly passed a bill that will allow for new sanctions on Russia. The legislation, named for its champion, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), passed 86-11.
President Trump on Friday has policy meetings at the White House and a roundtable at the State Department, before heading to Bedminster, N.J.
Follow live here.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
