Tillis opposes SAVE Act; shutdown risk rising; FEMA threats; McConnell absence; Trump-Thune feud; Senate CR deal; farm bill stalled

Retiring GOP Sen. Tillis launched detailed critique of SAVE Act. Senate passed clean CR through Dec 11, stripping SAVE Act; voter ID bill failed in Senate. FEMA threatens to withhold counterterrorism funds unless states use SAVE database for voter citizenship verification; lawsuit challenges. McConnell's absence since June 14 cripples Senate GOP. Lankford introduced bipartisan Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. Trump-Thune feud escalates; Senate leaders reached funding deal including $1B cut to Trump battleship request. Farm bill markup failed Aug 6; work resumes in September but SNAP dispute persists. New development: reconciliation used to lock in $187B SNAP cuts before farm bill, breaking farm-urban coalition; House passed its version, Senate hasn't acted. Blanche confirmed as AG. House still needs to act on funding bill. Immigration bills reshape detention, benefits, asylum. House-Senate GOP feud freezing legislation (21% passage rate). Blanche's confirmation comments signal multi-agency push to restrict abortion.