The U.S. Senate has successfully passed a funding bill to avert a government shutdown, ensuring federal operations continue through September. The bill, which required a minimum of 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, passed with a 62-38 vote, with 10 Democrats and one Independent joining Republicans in favor.
The Hill has additional information, alluding to the growing frustration among Democrats with their party over avoiding a government shutdown:
The Democrats who voted to advance the measure included Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Angus King (Maine), an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
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Schumer opened the door for some Democratic colleagues to vote to advance the bill by announcing Thursday that he would do so to avoid a government shutdown.
He warned a shutdown would give Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk — Trump’s chief budget cutter — tremendous leverage to keep federal employees out of work and to keep federal agencies shuttered for weeks, or even months.
“Government funding expires at midnight tonight. As I announced yesterday, I will vote to keep the government open. I believe it is the best way to minimize the harm that the Trump administration will do to the American people,” Schumer said on the floor before the vote.
This legislation includes a $13 billion reduction in non-defense spending and a $6 billion increase in defense funding. Notably, it also suspends Congress’s ability to veto President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico, potentially extending to other countries starting April 2.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced internal party debates but ultimately supported the bill to prevent a shutdown, arguing that such a scenario would grant President Trump more power to disrupt government operations.
A large number of Democrats favored a government shutdown to oppose the Republican-proposed funding bill, believing that by allowing a shutdown, they could leverage negotiations to protect domestic programs and prevent the advancement of Trump’s agenda.
Ultimately, their efforts were unsuccessful.
BREAKING: The Democrat infighting is getting so bad that Hakeem Jeffries is now getting testy with reporters who just want to know if he opposes Chuck Schumer's leadership.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 14, 2025
"Do *not* characterize my remarks. I'm not afraid about ANYTHING."pic.twitter.com/JkEMcFnzCv
The bill now awaits Trump’s signature to become law.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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