In a major victory for Republicans and President Donald Trump, the Senate passed a critical funding bill on Friday. The government shutdown was avoided just hours before the midnight deadline.
Ten Senate Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in a bipartisan vote, handing Trump a significant legislative win that Democrats had fiercely opposed.
The Senate’s final vote was 54-46, successfully approving the six-month continuing resolution (CR), previously passed by the Republican-led House.
Despite intense resistance from Democrat lawmakers who accused Republicans of excluding them from budget negotiations, a group of Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, ultimately broke ranks with their party to ensure the bill’s passage.
Schumer’s unexpected decision to support the measure drew praise from President Trump himself. “Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took “guts” and courage,” wrote Trump. Trump’s post signaled a rare moment of unity amid ongoing partisan tensions.
The ten Democrats who sided with Republicans included high-profile names such as Schumer, Minority Whip Dick Durbin, Sen. John Fetterman, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Their votes proved crucial to overcoming a Democratic filibuster earlier in the day, which required a 60-vote threshold. The procedural vote passed 62-38, clearing the way for the final Senate vote.
Democratic leaders faced intense pressure from their base, progressive lawmakers, and activists urging a showdown with Republicans.
Many Democrats were deeply frustrated, characterizing the spending bill as a “blank check” for Trump, claiming it would grant the president excessive control over funding decisions.
However, Republican senators argued convincingly that rejecting the measure would only harm ordinary Americans by halting paychecks to federal workers, military personnel, and essential government services.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK), rebuked Democrats for their opposition, saying it was hypocritical to argue against the bill by claiming it was designed to protect government functions while simultaneously threatening a shutdown.
The approved funding bill maintains government spending at fiscal year 2024 levels through October 1, trims non-defense spending by $13 billion, and boosts defense funding by $6 billion.
Despite Democrat objections, Schumer warned that rejecting the CR would empower Trump to shut down government agencies and services altogether, granting the administration even greater leverage.
Schumer’s support for the GOP-backed bill deeply divided the Democratic Party, leading to heated confrontations behind closed doors.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand reportedly raised her voice in an intense caucus meeting, highlighting the fierce internal disagreements among Democrats.
Ultimately, Schumer concluded that avoiding a shutdown was paramount, even at the cost of partisan criticism. “A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive,” he said, referring to Elon Musk’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency.
Schumer warned fellow Democrats that allowing a shutdown would give Trump and Musk even greater control over federal services, a scenario Democrats feared more than backing a GOP measure.
President Trump signed the funding bill swiftly, capping a dramatic showdown that underscores the growing divisions within the Democratic Party and delivering another political triumph for his administration.