With Democrats’ assist, Senate votes to avert a authorities shutdown

The Senate handed a Home-approved authorities funding invoice that averts a authorities shutdown that was set to be triggered on the finish of the day Friday.

The Senate voted 54 to 46 to move the invoice. The approval of the invoice follows a number of Democrats voting with Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to maintain the funding invoice transferring ahead regardless of blowback from different members of their get together.

Sen. Angus King, an unbiased who caucuses with the Democrats, and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen voted in favor of the invoice. All different Democrats voted in opposition to it.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was on the one Republican to forged a vote in opposition to the invoice.

Earlier, 10 Senate Democrats supplied the required votes to permit a check vote to advance. Democrats voted with Minority Chief Chuck Schumer to maintain the funding invoice transferring ahead, regardless of blowback from different members of their get together.

“I do know a variety of members did not just like the CR — the federal government shutdown could be far worse. A authorities shutdown offers Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE nearly full energy … to shut down as a result of they’ll determine what’s a vital service,” Schumer mentioned on CNN between the votes.

“My job as chief is to steer the get together,” he added. “And if there’s going to be hazard within the close to future to guard the get together. And I am proud I did it.”

The vote comes after Schumer took to the Senate flooring Friday morning to defend his determination to help the Republican short-term funding invoice — a transfer that has drawn criticism from different Democrats.

His shock reversal, first introduced Thursday night — a day after he mentioned he and Democrats would attempt to block the invoice — means there’ll nearly actually be sufficient Democratic votes to advance the measure to a ultimate Senate vote Friday simply hours earlier than the shutdown deadline.

“As everybody is aware of, authorities funding expires at midnight tonight. As I introduced yesterday, I’ll vote to maintain the federal government open. I imagine it’s one of the best ways to attenuate the hurt that the Trump administration will do to the American individuals,” Schumer mentioned Friday.

He mentioned he believes the short-term funding invoice — or persevering with decision — is a “dangerous invoice” however mentioned he believes if the federal government have been to close down, it might be a far worse final result for the nation.

“The CR is a foul invoice. However as dangerous because the CR is, I imagine permitting Donald Trump to take even far more energy through a authorities shutdown is a far worse choice,” Schumer mentioned.

Schumer mentioned he believed a authorities shutdown would imply President Donald Trump and Elon Musk and his Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) would have much more authority to “destroy very important authorities providers at a a lot sooner price.”

He mentioned they might even have the ability to find out which federal staff are thought of important — doubtlessly giving them extra energy to put off or hearth extra authorities staff and shutter federal companies.

“A shutdown would enable DOGE to shift into overdrive. Let me repeat, a shutdown will enable DOGE to shift into overdrive. It could give Donald Trump and DOGE the keys to the town, state and nation,” he mentioned. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk could be free to destroy very important authorities providers at a a lot sooner price than they’ll proper now and over a much wider subject of destruction that they might render.”

He continued, “In a shutdown, Donald Trump and DOGE may have the ability to find out what is taken into account important and what’s not and their views on what shouldn’t be important could be imply and harsh and would decimate very important providers and trigger unimaginable hurt to the American individuals.”

“Musk has advised everyone he desires a shutdown as a result of he is aware of it can assist him obtain his horrible aim of simply decimating the federal authorities from one finish to the opposite. In different phrases, if authorities have been to close down, DOGE has a plan in place to take advantage of the disaster for max destruction,” Schumer mentioned.

“A shutdown could be one of the best distraction Donald Trump might ask for,” he added.

Schumer additionally defended a few of his Senate Democratic colleagues who’ve come out against the short-term funding invoice. He acknowledged the powerful choices they as a caucus needed to weigh.

“Our caucus members have been torn between two terrible alternate options, and my colleagues and I’ve wrestled with which different could be worse for the American individuals,” Schumer mentioned.

Trump praised Schumer in a put up on his social media platform on Friday, saying it took “guts” for the New York senator to sign his help for the GOP invoice.

“Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the proper factor — Took “guts” and braveness! The massive Tax Cuts, L.A. hearth repair, Debt Ceiling Invoice, and a lot extra, is coming,” Trump posted on Fact Social.

“We must always all work collectively on that very harmful scenario. A non move could be a Nation destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights. Once more, actually good and good transfer by Senator Schumer. This might result in one thing large for the USA, an entire new path and starting,” Trump wrote.

Two separate letters have been despatched to Schumer on Friday, urging senators to reject the GOP persevering with decision — one from freshman California Rep. Derek Tran and the second from Rating Member of Home Appropriations Committee Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut.

Tran’s letter, which has 66 signatures up to now and is addressed on to Schumer, states that “as members of the Home Democratic Caucus, we write to specific our robust opposition to the passage of a partisan persevering with decision that doubtlessly legitimizes President Trump and the Republican get together’s dismantling of presidency.”

“We urge you to reject the partisan persevering with decision coming earlier than the Senate and stand with the American individuals in opposing these draconian Republican cuts. All events should come again to the negotiating desk and work throughout get together traces to maintain the federal government open in a accountable means,” the lawmakers wrote.

DeLauro’s letter, which got here from Democratic lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee, echoed related sentiments.

“As members of the Home Committee on Appropriations, we urge our Democratic colleagues within the Senate to reject the partisan and dangerous persevering with decision that may solely serve to allow President Trump, Elon Musk, and the Republican Get together’s ongoing efforts to unilaterally and unlawfully destroy the companies and applications that serve the American individuals,” the appropriators mentioned.

“We urge all Senate Democrats to face with Home Democrats and with the American individuals, reject this persevering with decision,” they added.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seemed to be distancing herself from Schumer’s determination, slammed Democrats who help the Home GOP invoice.

“America has skilled a Trump shutdown earlier than — however this damaging laws solely makes issues worse. Democrats should not purchase into this false selection. We should struggle again for a greater means. Hearken to the ladies, For The Individuals,” she mentioned in a press release Friday.

On the identical time, Pelosi applauded Home Democrats for his or her close to unanimous vote in opposition to the measure.

“I salute Chief Hakeem Jeffries for his brave rejection of this false selection, and I’m pleased with my colleagues within the Home Democratic Caucus for his or her overwhelming vote in opposition to this invoice,” she mentioned.

ABC Information’ Isabella Murray contributed to this report.