President Trump signed a bill to keep government open until September, ending a tense week of efforts to avoid a shutdown. The Senate voted 62-38 to advance the measure and passed it 54-46, with 10 Democrats backing the key procedural vote.
President Donald Trump has signed a bill to keep the federal government open until September. The decision came after a tense week in Washington, where lawmakers scrambled to avoid a government shutdown.
Trump signed the bill on Saturday, according to a statement from the White House. The move came one day after a group of Senate Democrats joined Republicans to approve the bill.
How the Vote to Keep Government Open Played Out
On Friday, the Senate voted 62-38 to move forward with the bill. Later, the final vote passed 54-46. Most Democrats opposed the measure, but 10 Senate Democrats voted in favor of the initial step to end debate and advance the legislation.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer supported the bill, saying it was a better option than letting the government shut down under Trump’s leadership.
Democratic Division in the Senate
Even though the bill passed, most Democrats did not support it. Many criticized Schumer’s decision to back the measure, which gave Trump more power over how federal money is spent. Some Democrats also voiced concern that the bill could allow deeper government cuts in the future.
Schumer, who has led the Senate Democratic caucus since 2017 and is up for reelection in 2028, has faced strong criticism from within his own party.
Trump Praises Schumer, Democrats Push Back
President Trump praised Schumer after the vote, calling it the right move. However, many Democrats say the bill hands too much control to the administration. The bill adds $6 billion to defense spending and cuts about $13 billion from other programs.
Concerns Over Government Restructuring
Democratic lawmakers are especially worried because Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency has been reducing staff and eliminating programs at a rapid pace. The department, led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, has played a key role in downsizing federal agencies.
Lawmakers say the new bill could allow the administration to cut even more jobs and programs without Congressional approval.
What Happens Next
With the bill signed into law, the government will continue operating through the end of the fiscal year in September. But the debates in Washington are far from over.
Democrats say they plan to push for stronger limits on executive power and more oversight on how federal funds are used. Meanwhile, Republicans say the bill is a step toward a leaner, more efficient government.
As the political battles continue, many Americans are watching closely to see how these changes will affect the services they rely on every day.
Source: The Boston Globe
