JUST IN: Senate Passes Trump-Endorsed Funding Bill, Averting Government Shutdown

The Senate passed a six-month spending bill Friday, dodging a government shutdown at the last minute despite sharp Democratic opposition. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk, where the continuing resolution is expected to be signed into law.

The 54-46 vote revealed deep fractures within the Democratic Party. Many Senate Democrats fumed over what they saw as a Republican-dominated process that cut them out of key negotiations.

But when push came to shove, some Democrats caved rather than face the fallout of a shutdown. Party leader Chuck Schumer ultimately threw his weight behind the bill, giving cover to those unwilling to risk public backlash.

The internal battle was brutal. House Democrats tried to pressure their Senate colleagues to kill the bill, launching a last-ditch campaign on social media and in press conferences.

“The American people sent Democrats to Congress to fight against Republican dysfunction and chaos,” read a letter from 66 House Democrats urging Schumer to reject the measure.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries even rushed back to the Capitol, hoping to convince enough senators to block the bill and force a more favorable deal. But in the end, Schumer made it clear: a shutdown was off the table.

His decision infuriated progressives, who argued that Republicans should take the blame since they control Congress and the White House. “If you refuse to put forward an offer that includes any Democratic input and you don’t get Democratic votes, that’s on Republicans,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.

Schumer’s biggest surprise? Donald Trump had his back. “Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took ‘guts’ and courage!” Trump posted on social media, a rare moment of praise for his usual political adversary.

Despite the drama, Democrats feared what a shutdown could mean under Trump’s leadership. “A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive,” Schumer warned, referring to the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster rate.”

The spending bill extends government funding through September, trimming $13 billion from non-defense programs while boosting defense spending by $6 billion—a deal that Republicans were more than happy to accept. The Republican-led House passed it Tuesday before skipping town, leaving the Senate with a take-it-or-leave-it choice.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) dismissed Democratic outrage, saying any shutdown blame would fall squarely on their shoulders. “Democrats need to decide if they’re going to support funding legislation that came over from the House, or if they’re going to shut down the government,” Thune said.

Progressive groups pleaded for a last-minute push for a 30-day extension instead, but their efforts fell flat. “There’s still time,” Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) insisted at a Democratic retreat. “Any of my colleagues in the Senate who are considering voting on cloture, the American people are shouting: Please do not hand the keys over to Elon Musk.”