Senate passes Trump-backed spending bill to avoid shutdown

The government shutdown was narrowly averted just hours before the Friday 11:59 p.m. deadline, thanks to a last-minute effort by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a group of Democrats who helped Republicans defeat the filibuster. The bill has now been passed by the Senate and is on its way to President Donald Trump’s desk for final approval.

The stopgap spending bill, also known as a continuing resolution, will maintain spending levels at the same as fiscal year 2024 until October 1st. This bill was crucial in preventing a partial government shutdown, which would have halted federal agencies and non-essential services. However, essential functions such as national security protocols, border patrol, law enforcement, and disaster response would have remained active.

The Senate’s approval of the House-passed bill came after a tense procedural vote earlier in the day, where a handful of Senate Democrats broke ranks to support the Republican majority. This move caused significant division within the Democratic Party, with even House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refusing to express confidence in Schumer.

During Senate caucus meetings, tensions ran high, with reports of a senator yelling loudly enough to be heard outside the closed doors. While the voice was attributed to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, her office declined to confirm.

Prior to the final vote, Senator John Fetterman criticized his Democratic colleagues for risking a shutdown with their planned “no” votes. He emphasized the inconsistency of past Democratic stances against government shutdowns.

In the end, 10 Democrats, including Schumer, Durbin, and a few others, joined forces with Republicans to overcome the filibuster and secure passage of the bill with a 62-38 margin. This bipartisan effort helped avoid a government shutdown and ensure that essential services would continue uninterrupted.

Julia Johnson, a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, led the coverage of the Senate’s crucial vote. Her reporting highlighted the intense negotiations and divisions within the Democratic Party that ultimately led to the bill’s passage.

For more updates on political developments and breaking news, follow Julia’s reporting on Twitter at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.