Senate Avoids Shutdown with Narrow Passage of Spending Bill

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a six-month spending bill on Friday, ensuring that the federal government remains funded through the end of September and averting a potential shutdown. The bill was approved by a 54-46 vote, with two Democrats joining nearly all Republicans in support. The approval came just hours ahead of the midnight deadline.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reversed his earlier stance on the bill, which he deemed insufficient, announcing his support in a bid to rally further Democratic votes. Despite his support for the procedural step that advanced the bill, Schumer later voted against the final passage of the legislation.

During the critical sessions, ten Democratic senators voted with the Republican majority to bypass a filibuster. Senators Dick Durbin, Catherine Cortez Masto, and John Fetterman were among those who aided in advancing the bill in a 62-38 procedural vote. However, only Senators Shaheen and Angus King, who caucus with Democrats, voted in favor of the funding measure during the final vote.

The measure includes a modest increase of $6 billion in defense spending while cutting $13 billion in non-defense expenditures. Democratic leaders criticized the bill for granting President Donald Trump and his administration substantial leverage over federal spending, with concerns raised about the potential impact on social service programs.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., hailed the success of the vote, emphasizing the necessity of passing the bill to maintain government operations and avert a shutdown. “We did our job today,” Johnson stated shortly after the vote concluded. His approach aligns with Trump’s call for Republican unity as the party navigates internal divisions.

Opponents within the Democratic caucus raised alarms regarding the implications of the continued resolution. New Mexico Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez stated that the legislation empowers Trump and his advisor Elon Musk to cut essential funding without proper oversight. The bill enables the administration to shift funds away from critical programs such as drug enforcement amid a fentanyl crisis.

“This is not merely a stopgap that keeps the lights on; it represents a more worrisome handover of power,” stated Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. “This is basically granting a blank check to the Trump administration.”

Despite the contentious political atmosphere, both parties appeared to be preparing for the ramifications of the bill’s passage. Importantly, it sets the stage for upcoming negotiations on future fiscal policies, particularly as Democrats voiced concerns about the administration’s expansive approach to government budget management.

On the Senate floor, Schumer defended his decision, indicating that he considered the bill’s passage preferable to allowing a government shutdown, which he described as having significantly detrimental effects on the American populace. “As undesirable as the continuing resolution may be, it is still a more favorable outcome than the chaos of a government shutdown,” he remarked.

The legislation also poses significant implications for the District of Columbia, compelling Mayor Muriel Bowser to address a proposed $1.1 billion budget reduction, impacting essential public services such as education and safety.

The path ahead for the bill remains tentatively optimistic, as bipartisan support will be crucial in the Senate to finalize funding for the upcoming fiscal year. Lawmakers from both parties will continue deliberations, aiming to facilitate a smoother transition into the next stages of budgetary processes.