In a dramatic turn of events, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) helped push a Republican-backed stopgap funding bill forward on Friday, avoiding a government shutdown but dividing Democrats in the process.
The bill passed a key Senate procedural vote with a 62-38 margin, with Schumer and nine other Democrats supporting it. Though many in his party opposed the measure, Schumer defended his decision, arguing that allowing the government to shut down would hand excessive power to former President Donald Trump and his allies.
“I will vote to keep the government open,” Schumer said in a floor speech. “Clearly, this is a Hobson’s choice; the CR is a bad bill. But 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.”
The stopgap bill extends government funding for six months, preventing disruptions to federal programs and worker pay. However, it also includes provisions that cut domestic spending while slightly increasing military funding—measures that many Democrats criticized. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and other top Democrats had pushed for a shorter 30-day extension to allow more time for negotiations.
Schumer’s move was met with frustration from House Democrats, many of whom had gathered at a policy retreat in Virginia. Some lawmakers warned that the bill gives Trump too much discretion over spending priorities and could harm essential services.
Despite the tensions, the bill was expected to pass a final Senate vote before heading to Trump’s desk for approval. The outcome highlights the delicate balance between party unity and legislative pragmatism as lawmakers navigate ongoing budget battles in Washington.
