US Senate passes Republican spending bill to avert government shutdown

WASHINGTON — The US Senate voted Friday to pass a Republican spending bill just before a midnight deadline, preventing a government shutdown.

The short-term spending bill was approved in a 54-46 vote, ensuring government operations continue through the end of September.

Largely passing along party lines, the bill now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature. It includes a modest increase in defense spending while cutting $13 billion from non-defense programs, aligning with Republican commitments to reduce domestic expenditures, according to NPR.

Democrats criticized the bill as a "blank check" for Trump, arguing it fails to restrict the administration’s efforts to slash previously approved congressional funding.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that Democrats would vote to advance the continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House of Representatives to lower the risk of a government shutdown.

Schumer acknowledged from the Senate floor that while the CR bill is "very bad," allowing a government shutdown would have consequences that are "much, much worse." — SG