President Trump signed a stopgap funding bill that keeps the federal government open through the end of September, averting a shutdown. The Senate voted 62-38 to advance the measure, with 10 members of the Democratic caucus in favor, and then passed it 54-46.
President Donald Trump has signed a bill to keep the federal government funded through September, ending a tense week in Washington as lawmakers worked to avoid a government shutdown.
Trump signed the bill on Saturday, according to the White House, one day after a group of Senate Democrats joined Republicans to advance it.
How the vote played out
On Friday, the Senate voted 62-38 to end debate and move the bill forward. It then passed 54-46. Most Democrats opposed the measure, but 10 members of the Democratic caucus voted for the procedural step that allowed it to advance.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer supported moving the bill forward, arguing that a government shutdown would be a worse outcome and would give the Trump administration more leeway to cut agencies and programs.
Democratic divisions
Many Democrats, including House Democratic leaders, criticized Schumer’s decision. They argued the bill gives the administration too much flexibility over how federal money is spent and could make deeper cuts easier.
Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since 2017 and is next up for reelection in 2028, faced strong criticism from within his own party over the vote.
Trump praises Schumer
Trump praised Schumer after the vote, saying he had done the right thing. The bill increases defense spending by about $6 billion and cuts nondefense spending by about $13 billion compared with the previous year’s levels.
Concerns about cuts to agencies
Democratic lawmakers are concerned because the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, closely associated with Elon Musk, has been cutting staff and programs across federal agencies.
Critics say the bill does little to limit the administration’s ability to continue those cuts without new approval from Congress.
What happens next
With the bill signed into law, the government is funded through the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Lawmakers will then need to agree on funding for the next fiscal year.
Democrats say they will push for stronger limits on executive power and more oversight of federal spending, while Republicans describe the bill as a step toward a leaner government.
Source: The Boston Globe
