The United States Senate passed a crucial funding bill on Friday, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown just hours before the deadline. The bill, which funds the government through September 30, received bipartisan backing, with 10 Democrats—including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—crossing party lines in a key procedural vote, CNN reported.
The bill now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature, which is expected soon. Schumer defended his decision, emphasizing that Democrats faced only difficult choices between shutting down the government or accepting a Republican-led bill that included spending cuts to programs such as veterans’ health care and emergency services in Washington, D.C.
“I believe it is the best way to minimize the harm that the Trump administration will do to the American people,” Schumer said on the Senate floor. “Clearly, this is a Hobson’s choice. The bill is flawed, but allowing Donald Trump to gain even more power through a government shutdown would be a far worse option.”
The legislation passed with a vote of 54 to 46. However, Schumer’s decision to support the bill sparked backlash from some members of his party. In response, he asserted that he and his Democratic colleagues remained aligned on the broader strategy.
“My job as leader is to guide the party and protect it from potential risks,” Schumer told CNN. “I knew there would be disagreements, but a government shutdown would have been a far worse outcome.”
President Trump acknowledged Schumer’s support, stating, “I appreciate Senator Schumer, and I think he did the right thing. I’m very impressed by that.”
Meanwhile, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was the lone Republican to oppose the bill.
