The Senate is anticipated to vote on two interim spending bills this Friday as legislators aim to prevent a government shutdown before the Oct. 1 deadline.

Earlier in the day, the House is expected to vote and possibly approve the GOP’s seven-week “clean” continuing resolution (CR), after which it will be sent to the Senate.

That would set the stage for the twin votes, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announcing the plan late on Thursday.

“We are going to do that,” Thune told reporters.

Both pieces of legislation are predicted not to pass. Thune mentioned he would revisit the GOP proposal and arrange further votes closer to the deadline.

Thune also noted that it is “unlikely” the Senate will reconvene next week, as they are scheduled for recess during the Jewish High Holidays, planning to meet again on Sept. 29.

The Republican proposal aims to fund the government until Nov. 21, maintaining Fiscal 2024 spending levels, allowing time for appropriators to negotiate a long-term budget for the rest of Fiscal 2026.

The Democratic proposal, on the other hand, seeks to reinstate nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts that were part of the GOP’s summer bill and includes permanently extended enhanced health insurance premium subsidies.

The latter part was part of the Affordable Care Act and is set to expire at the end of the year, with Democrats making it the hallmark of their funding push. 

“The contrast between the Democratic budget proposal and the Republican proposal is glaring. The Republicans want the same old status quo — rising costs, declining health care. Democrats want to meet people’s needs by improving health care and lowering costs, in health care and many other places,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) told reporters on Wednesday while unveiling the plan.

Thune and Republicans have insisted the subsidies are not up for negotiation, especially in a bill to keep the government open for less than two months. 

They have repeatedly urged Democrats to back the “clean” bill, noting that they have done so more than a dozen times in recent years.