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By Peter Aitken and Gabe Whisnant
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The Senate approved a six-month spending bill on Friday, just hours before a government shutdown, overcoming strong Democratic opposition.
The bill passed by a 54-46 vote. Democrats expressed frustration, arguing that Republicans pushed forward with a measure that lacked their input and fell short on key priorities like health care and housing assistance.
Despite their concerns, some Democrats ultimately backed Senate leader Chuck Schumer's decision to allow the bill to advance, believing that averting a government shutdown was the better outcome.
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Why It Matters
The U.S. government faced an imminent shutdown if Congress did not pass a funding bill. Failure to agree on a deal by Friday at midnight would have resulted in federal workers going on furlough and not receiving pay, while nonessential government functions would have been put on pause.
What To Know
Nine Democrats and one independent joined Republicans to surpass the 60-vote threshold in the procedural vote, with the measure advancing by a 62-38 vote.
The legislation funds the federal government through the end of September. It trims non-defense spending by about $13 billion from the previous year and increases defense spending by about $6 billion, which are marginal changes when talking about a topline spending level of nearly $1.7 trillion.
House Democrats almost unanimously voted against the bill on Tuesday, with all but one Republican voting to pass the bill and advance it to the Senate for consideration and vote.
Democrats faced a difficult choice: allow passage of a bill granting President Donald Trump broad discretion over spending decisions or vote against it and trigger a government shutdown. Ultimately, Schumer and a small group of Democrats opted to prevent a shutdown at all costs.
Schumer initially opposed the bill, saying earlier this week that "our caucus is unified on a clean April 11 CR" and that "Republicans do not have the votes."
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However, he reversed course on Thursday, declaring he would support the continuing resolution (CR), arguing that "it is my job to make the best choice for the country to minimize the harms to the American people. Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down."
His decision angered many Democrats determined to push back against the Trump administration but provided political cover for senators to join Republicans in advancing the funding bill.
In a rare rebuke, House Democratic leadership, which had largely opposed the bill, issued a scathing statement, warning against caving to Trump, Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk, and the Republican-controlled Congress.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar wrote in a joint statement from the party's annual issues conference retreat: "House Democrats will not be complicit. We remain strongly opposed to the partisan spending bill under consideration in the Senate."
California Representative Nancy Pelosi said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter: "Democratic senators should listen to the women. Appropriations leaders Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray have eloquently presented the case that we must have a better choice: a four-week funding extension to keep government open and negotiate a bipartisan agreement."
"America has experienced a Trump shutdown before – but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse," she added. "Democrats must not buy into this false choice. We must fight back for a better way. Listen to the women, For The People."
What People Are Saying
House Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Republicans have again stood together to get the job done, this time to pass a CR that freezes spending and funds the government for the remainder of FY25.
Shamefully, 99% of Democrats in Congress voted to SHUT DOWN the government—simply because they seem to hate President Trump more than they love America.
Never forget that Democrats voted to withhold: the paychecks of our troops, border patrol agents, and TSA employees; health care and benefits for veterans; and essential services and programs—just to make a meaningless political point.
While Democrats try to use the American people as political pawns, Republicans are working to deliver real, positive results for everyone."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told CNN following the vote: "We always knew there would be disagreements, but I felt, and those who voted with me felt, that as bad as the CR was—and I know a lot of members didn't like the CR—a government shutdown would be far worse.
"A government shutdown gives Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE almost complete power as to what to close down, because they can decide what is an essential service. If they determine that SNAP kids shouldn't get food is not essential, they can just cut it out summarily, they could fire half the workers in the federal government, it would have been a far worse consequence."
He added: "Now it wouldn't have happened for a week or two, but my job as leader is to lead the party, and if there's going to be danger in the near future, to protect the party, and I'm proud I did it. I knew I did the right thing, and I knew there'd be some disagreements. That's how it always is."
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took 'guts' and courage! The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming. We should all work together on that very dangerous situation. A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights. Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer. This could lead to something big for the USA, a whole new direction and beginning!"
What Happens Next
The measure will be sent to President Trump for his signature.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Update 3/14/25, 6:31 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 3/14/25, 6:50 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 3/14/25, 7:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional remarks.
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