Senate expected to vote to block controversial DC crime bill | Clare Foran, Ted Barrett & Ali Zaslav cnn.com/2023/03/08/pol…

McConnell was all smiles this morning as he predicted the Senate would finish the year long government funding bill today on December 22, like he predicted.

'We'll finish on the 22nd as someone predicted a while back,' McConnell said, referring to himself

More pessimism from senators as they're departing negotiations on the floor over the government funding bill

“This bill is hanging by a thread,” said Dem Sen. Chris Coons

GOP Sen. Todd Young: 'I don't anticipate much forward movement.'

McConnell on Zelensky: “The most important thing is to beat the Russians in Ukraine,' he told Ali Zaslav. “Fortunately they have a leader that everyone can look up to and admire. And also it's nice to have something here at the end of the year that we all actually agree on.”

The Senate has voted to confirm Lynne Tracy to be the US Ambassador to Russia, Ali Zaslav reports.

The final vote was 93-2.

Schumer says the Senate will “get going” on processing the year-long gov't funding bill “as soon as this afternoon” w/ a final vote by end of week.

Schumer noted they're “mindful” there’s a storm expected to hit the East Coast on Thursday, which could encourage speedier passage

GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski donning a festive holiday outfit at votes tonight

On Walker loss in GA:

Romney says Trump endorsement is the 'kiss of death' Lauren Fox

Toomey: “It’s just 1 more data point in an overwhelming body of data that the Trump obsession is very bad for Republicans but normal Republicans are doing extremely well' to Ted Barrett

Schumer taking a victory lap as Dems picked up a Senate seat after Warnock won the special election in Georgia

'After one year 10 months & 17 days of the longest 50-50 Senate in history. 51,” Schumer said. “A slim majority. That is great and we are so happy about it.”

News with big implications for the new Congress: McConnell says a deal on a year-long omnibus spending package seems out of reach and that they may have to pass a stop-gap resolution until early next year. This would put a funding fight on table. “We are running out of time.”

With Hakeem Jeffries poised to be elected House Democratic Leader, Schumer says his elevation is a 'turning point in the history of the US Congress'

“Never before has an African American leader or any leader of color held the top position for either party in either chamber'

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema teared up as she said that today “We were able to send a message across the country that this is normal. These families are normal. These marriages are normal”