The United States has successfully averted a government shutdown after the Senate passed a Republican-led measure to ensure government funding for the next six months. The crucial stopgap funding bill was approved in the Senate with a vote of 54-46, as two Senate Democrats joined nearly all Republican senators in supporting the legislation. Now, President Donald Trump must sign the bill into law before the impending Friday midnight deadline.
The pivotal vote occurred earlier in the week when several Senate Democrats, following intense debate, decided to allow the funding measure to overcome a significant procedural hurdle. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nine other Democrats diverged from their party lines to facilitate the advancement of the bill toward its final vote scheduled for Friday evening. In a surprising twist, two Democrats—Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Independent Senator Angus King from Maine—voted in favor of the bill's final passage, while Schumer himself voted against it.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Schumer's decision to allow the spending bill to move forward, describing it as a significant slap in the face to party members. She expressed that there is a pervasive sense of betrayal within the Democratic Party, as reported by CBS News. Ocasio-Cortez argued that supporting the bill would legitimize the ongoing chaos and reckless cuts advocated by individuals like Elon Musk. Furthermore, she contended that Senate Democrats who voted in favor were essentially endorsing measures that would deprive the federal government of necessary funds to finance tax cuts benefiting billionaires.
The Democratic Party faced considerable internal conflict regarding their support for the funding measure, with some members advocating for a 30-day continuing resolution. However, this proposal was unlikely to garner sufficient support for passage. Republican Senator Ted Cruz criticized the Democrats for engaging in what he termed "political theater" and applauded the bill's successful passage. "The government is funded, let's get back to work," he stated in a press release.
The passage of this funding bill marks a notable victory for Trump and congressional Republicans. On Friday morning, Trump expressed rare bipartisan appreciation for Schumer's decision to allow the bill to advance, stating that failure to pass it would be a "Country destroyer" and that approval would elevate the nation to "new heights." The legislation maintains much of the federal funding levels established during the Biden Administration, albeit with some significant alterations. It boosts military spending by $6 billion (£4.6 billion) to address priorities such as border security, veterans' healthcare, and military readiness. However, it also proposes a cut of approximately $13 billion in non-defense funding.
Local officials in Washington D.C. expressed concerns that the bill could lead to a $1 billion reduction in federal funds allocated to the city over the next six months. Nevertheless, the Senate also approved a separate bill that preserved the city's current operating budget, alleviating some apprehensions regarding funding cuts, as reported by the New York Times.
