Senate Passes Stopgap Funding Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown
In a last-minute effort, the Senate passed a stopgap government funding bill just hours before a partial shutdown of federal agencies was set to take effect. The bill received bipartisan support in a 62-38 vote, with 10 Democrats joining Republicans to advance the measure. Senators voted down four amendments before passing the bill in a 54-46 vote.
The procedural vote followed criticism of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer by younger congressional Democrats for initially opposing the Republican agenda before reversing course. Despite reservations, the GOP saw the bill as the best option to prevent a shutdown, given the spending levels left by former President Joe Biden.
The funding bill will extend fiscal 2024 spending levels through the start of the 2026 fiscal year, with President Trump’s backing. Defense spending will see a $6 billion increase, while non-defense discretionary spending faces a $13 billion cut. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will receive nearly $10 billion to carry out mass deportations.
Previously opposing the House-passed continuing resolution, some Senate Democrats publicly voiced their disagreement with Schumer’s stance, leading to a heated debate within the party. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged Democrats to defy Schumer and reject the GOP-backed bill. She also supported a 30-day stopgap measure proposed by Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Rosa DeLauro as a potential path towards a longer-term spending deal.
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