The U.S. Senate successfully passed a crucial spending bill on Friday night, preventing a federal government shutdown just before the midnight deadline. The vote stood at 54-46, with most members voting along party lines. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Independent Senator Angus King supported the bill, while Republican Senator Rand Paul opposed it. The bill now awaits President Donald Trump’s approval, who had already departed for his Mar-a-Lago estate earlier that evening.
Schumer Faces Backlash as Senate Advances Funding Bill with Bipartisan Support
Before the final vote, a key procedural vote to end the filibuster required the approval of at least 60 senators. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was among the Democrats who supported the motion, leading to a successful 62-38 cloture vote. Apart from Schumer, notable Democrats such as Dick Durbin, Brian Schatz, and Kristen Gillibrand also voted in favor of ending the debate. With Republicans holding 53 Senate seats, bipartisan support was necessary to proceed with the funding bill.
Senate Passes Spending Bill to Avert Shutdown as Schumer Faces Democratic BacklashThe 99-page spending bill, passed by the House earlier, includes increased military funding but cuts domestic nondefense spending by $13 billion. While Schumer endorsed the bill, stating his role as a leader required making tough decisions, House Democrats largely opposed it.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the bill as a partisan move, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voiced concerns about the impact on working families. President Trump, however, praised Schumer for his decision, calling it a courageous move that could lead to future bipartisan efforts.
Democratic Divisions Deepen Over Funding Bill as Schumer Faces Progressive Backlash
Schumer’s support for the bill drew criticism from progressive Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who called the move a “tremendous mistake.” Some Democrats even suggested she should challenge Schumer in the 2028 Senate election.
The dispute highlighted deeper divisions within the Democratic Party, as members debated the impact of the funding cuts and their alignment with GOP priorities. Meanwhile, House Democrats gathered at their annual policy retreat in Virginia, distancing themselves from the Senate decision.
Schumer defended the Democratic approach, arguing that an alternative stopgap measure was proposed but rejected by Republicans. He accused Trump of attempting to centralize control over government spending, which could lead to significant power shifts. Some Senate Democrats, like Michael Bennet, criticized their party’s leadership for lacking a clear strategy.
Others, such as Tina Smith and Patty Murray, expressed concerns that the bill provided excessive spending flexibility to the Trump administration, allowing the executive branch to reshape priorities unilaterally.
Despite party divisions, Senator John Fetterman was the first Democrat to publicly support the measure, emphasizing that he would not vote for a government shutdown. He warned that a shutdown would be disastrous, though he acknowledged opposition within his party.
The funding bill, set to last until September 30, marks a significant legislative battle between the two parties and within the Democratic ranks. The broader implications of this decision will likely shape future negotiations on federal spending and party leadership strategies.