Last-Minute Senate Moves to Prevent Government Shutdown: Midnight Deadline Looms!

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is in a tight spot as it races against time to avoid a government shutdown. With just hours left, Democrats face two tough choices: support a bill they feel gives President Trump too much power over spending or let the government run out of funds.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has been gathering input from his party all week. However, he made it clear that he will not let a shutdown happen. This means Democrats may vote alongside Republicans soon to push through a continuing resolution (CR) to keep funding the government.

Today, the Senate will conduct a procedural vote to see if the bill can garner the 60 votes needed to pass. For this to happen, at least eight Democrats must join Republican senators.

Schumer emphasized that while the CR is not ideal, the implications of a government shutdown are much worse. “The potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse,” he stated.

Congress has stalled on passing annual appropriations bills; thus, they’ve been relying on short-term extensions. This CR marks the third such effort for the current fiscal year, which is already half over.

The proposed legislation would fund the government until the end of September. It suggests a cut of about $13 billion in non-defense spending while increasing defense spending by around $6 billion. When we look at a total spending level of nearly $1.7 trillion, these shifts are modest.

The Republican-led House passed the bill on Tuesday before adjourning, leaving the Senate with limited options. Democrats have been advocating for another short extension, but GOP leaders have dismissed that idea outright.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune pointed fingers at Democrats, saying any shutdown blame would lie with them. “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,” he said.

Progressive groups have encouraged Democratic lawmakers to reject the bill and demand a longer extension, arguing that they can’t allow the status quo to persist while Trump and his allies, including some high-profile figures like Elon Musk, gut essential services and programs.

Schumer warned that allowing a shutdown could give Trump more authority to classify entire agencies and programs as non-essential. “A shutdown would give Donald Trump the keys to the city, the state and the country,” he said.

Many Democrats are critical of the funding levels in the bill, noticing that the proposed amounts are lower than what was agreed upon nearly two years ago when Congress lifted the debt ceiling in exchange for spending discipline.

They are also concerned about the extra discretion granted to the Trump administration. Traditionally, spending bills include set directives for significant programs. However, this CR would let the administration decide where the money goes, giving it more freedom, which many Democrats label as a “blank check.”

A memo from Democrats highlighted that the bill could allow funds meant for fighting fentanyl to be redirected to mass deportation initiatives. In terms of infrastructure, over 1,000 projects vital for flood control and ecosystem health would get funding decisions shifted away from Congress to the administration.

Additionally, Democrats are unhappy with changes impacting the District of Columbia. The bill effectively rolls back the district’s budget to previous levels, forcing it to cut $1.1 billion quickly, even though D.C. collects most of its own funds.

Another significant concern is the proposed rollback of $20 billion in IRS funding, halving a previous boost intended for the agency.

This funding bill is different from ongoing Republican plans to extend tax cuts from Trump’s initial term, which will require trade-offs elsewhere in the budget. This has made Democrats wary, as both initiatives seem aimed at benefiting the wealthy at the expense of other Americans.

Sen. Bernie Sanders remarked on the potential impact of these proposals: “You’re looking at a one-two punch, a very bad CR, then a reconciliation bill coming down, which will be the final kick in the teeth for the American people.”

Sen. Tom Cotton criticized the Democrats, saying their actions could hurt ordinary workers, including air traffic controllers and federal employees. “They can’t be serious,” he said, suggesting that Democrats are fighting against their own constituents’ best interests.

As the deadline looms, tensions are high in the Senate. How they choose to navigate these challenges could define not just the current legislative session but also the longer-term dynamics between both parties. The choices they make may ripple through public sentiment, affecting future elections and the landscape of American governance. For a deeper look into the implications of funding decisions, you can read more from the Congressional Research Service.

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