Senate Democrats wouldn't comment after they stunned Republicans with party-line 26-24 vote to adjourn at about noon.
House Republican leaders said they had not yet decided if they would accept the budget bills - but they were highly critical of the move made by Democrats to leave with 24 hours left they could use to negotiate further.
House Majority Leader Michael Lange said Republicans have few options at this point. They can either accept the last version of the budget that cleared the Senate or reject it. The only tax relief bills they could approve are the versions endorsed by the Senate Democrats, such as Schweitzer's $400-per-homeowner rebate.
Rep. Alan Olson, R-Roundup, predicted Republicans would reject the Democratic ideas, forcing a special session.
"We can't live with the bills we've got," he said. "There's been no compromise.
"Everything that's come out of the Senate is take it or leave it."
Even if the House accepts the spending plan - which was uncertain - the governor has said he would call a special session if he didn't get his tax relief plan.
Earlier in the morning, Sales indicated Republicans would hold out for a deal that includes larger, and permanent, reductions in property tax rates - even if it meant a special session that could last a month.
"I think the Republicans understand this is a hill worth dying on," Sales said.
Sen. Corey Stapleton, R-Billings, said Democrats adjourned right as they were close to cutting a deal with him that he said would bring the session to a close with a compromise. He said they were six hours from getting it done.
The sudden departure "was very unprofessional," he said.
Schweitzer, who watched the Senate adjourn on television, would only say that it is now up to the House to accept the Democrats' spending and tax cut plans.
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