Prospects for including agriculture-related amendments on the continuing resolution to fund the government through September 30 appeared to dim Monday evening as the Senate voted 63 to 35 to limit further debate on the measure.

Final decisions on consideration of amendments had not been made, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., warned the senators that when they pass the measure it still has to go back to the House to be incorporated into the House bill.

Reid said that while the Senate is expected to leave on Friday for a two-week Easter-Passover break, the Senate will stay in session until the appropriations bill and the budget bill are passed.

Before dismissing the Senate for the evening, Reid also noted that the longer the senators take in considering the appropriations bill, the less time they will have to debate the budget bill that is next on the agenda.

Earlier Reid and appropriations leaders had expressed dismay that senators had filed 99 amendments on the measure that is needed to stop a government shutdown on March 27.

Still, pressure remained to add an amendment sponsored by Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and others that would give the Agriculture Department spending flexibility. The measure would mean Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack could move money among accounts to avoid furloughing meat inspectors, which would force slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities to close when inspectors are not on duty.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has also sponsored amendments that would remove provisions related to biotechnology and a rule governing the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Final votes on the continuing resolution could come as early as Tuesday.