But swift Senate passage is not completely under McConnell’s control: Any senator can object to quick passage of either bill — and Senate sources tell CNN it’s likely that at least one senator would object.
Discussions about whether to speed up the schedule are expected to intensify when senators return Monday afternoon after they left town last Thursday. And the schedule may be in flux until after the parties’ weekly Tuesday lunches in the crowded rooms of the Senate where the two sides meet separately.
On Monday evening, the Senate is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on a bill to renew key FISA authorities after they expired Sunday. Sen. Rand Paul and other senators have demanded amendments to the legislation — and it’s uncertain the Kentucky Republican would allow the measure to quickly pass once senators defeat a filibuster Monday evening.
If Paul and other senators don’t agree to speed up the FISA bill, it could delay final passage until Wednesday or Thursday. The coronavirus bill would not be able to be considered until the FISA bill passes the Senate — unless an agreement is reached to take it up sooner.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are negotiating “technical corrections” to the bill, something that could still quickly pass the House by voice vote as soon as Monday. But if a House member objects, the technical corrections bill could be stalled until next week when the House reconvenes — unless the chamber returns early from recess.