The US Senate has passed a six-month Republican-backed funding bill, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. Despite strong opposition from many Democrats, the bill cleared the Senate with a 54-46 vote and now heads to President Donald Trump for approval.
The vote saw New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen breaking party ranks to support the bill, while Republican Senator Rand Paul opposed it. Earlier, a group of Democratic senators, including John Fetterman, Brian Schatz, and Kirsten Gillibrand, joined Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in advancing the bill past the 60-vote threshold needed to break a filibuster.
Schumer’s decision to support the bill has sparked outrage among many Democrats, who argue it provides no clear guidelines on spending, potentially enabling the Trump administration’s aggressive cost-cutting measures. His shift in stance on Thursday led to backlash from the Democratic base, with critics warning that the lack of funding restrictions could fuel the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Defending his move, Schumer stated that while the bill is flawed, allowing a government shutdown would give Trump even more power. “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,” he said before the vote.
Key Democratic figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, opposed the bill, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called Schumer’s decision a “tremendous mistake.” Other Democrats criticized the bill for cutting $1 billion from Washington, DC’s budget.
With the bill’s passage, immigration enforcement under the Department of Homeland Security is expected to intensify, with officials warning of stricter policies ahead. The ongoing debate highlights deep divisions over government spending, immigration control, and political strategy as the administration moves forward with its agenda.