The United States Senate has successfully passed a stopgap spending bill to continue funding the government through September, thereby avoiding a potential government shutdown. The bill, known as a continuing resolution, was passed just hours before the anticipated Friday night deadline. The resolution was supported by a majority of Republicans and a select group of Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and received endorsement from President Donald Trump.
The legislation passed with a 54-46 vote. A key procedural vote on the bill, which required a 60-vote threshold to overcome the legislative filibuster, was achieved due to the support from nine Senate Democrats and independent Senator Angus King. The only Republican opposition came from Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, while Senators Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. and Angus King, I-Maine, were the only Democrats to vote in favor of the bill.
The continuing resolution was previously approved by the House of Representatives earlier in the week. The bill maintains the spending levels from the previous fiscal year, FY 2024, until October 1. If the bill had not been passed by the Friday deadline, it would have resulted in a partial government shutdown. In such a scenario, non-essential federal agencies and services would be halted, while "essential" government functions such as national security protocols and disaster response would remain active.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced criticism from within his party for his decision to support the bill. In defending his choice, Schumer argued that a government shutdown would provide President Trump with more power to make sweeping cuts to the federal government. Schumer stated:
"Clearly, this is a Hobson’s choice. The CR is a bad bill. But as bad as the CR is, I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option."
Deep divisions emerged within the Democratic Party over the legislation. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., declined to answer questions regarding his confidence in Schumer. In one Senate caucus meeting, a voice identified by the press as belonging to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., was heard expressing frustration, though her office did not confirm this.
Prior to the bill's approval, Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., criticized his fellow Democrats for their planned "no" votes that risked a government shutdown. Fetterman stated to reporters:
"It wasn't that long ago before we were lecturing that you can never shut the government down. So, that's kind of inconsistent."
The bill now awaits a signature from President Donald Trump to be enacted. As this situation develops, further updates will be provided.