US Senate approves GOP spending bill to prevent shutdown
The United States narrowly avoided a government shutdown on Friday, with lawmakers, already dealing with President Donald Trump's drastic federal spending cuts, agreeing to fund the government through September.
As the midnight deadline loomed, Democrats abandoned their plan to block the Trump-supported bill passed earlier in the week by the House. This cleared the way for the Republican-led Senate to approve it.
Senator Ted Cruz criticized Senate Democrats, accusing them of using political theater to delay the inevitable and cause instability. "Americans voted for change under President Trump and Republican leadership after four years of chaos. The government is funded; let's get back to work," Cruz said.
Despite facing intense pressure from their base, Democrats ultimately relented. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer surprised his colleagues by announcing his support for the bill. Ten Democrats, concerned about being blamed for a shutdown, decided to support the measure, which only needed Republican backing to pass.
This marked a significant win for Trump, who managed to secure approval for the bill despite internal opposition from some House Republicans. The funding debate primarily focused on Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, which aims to reduce federal spending by $1 trillion this year.
Musk's department has been controversial for its cuts, including firing half of the Education Department workforce. Despite claims of saving $100 billion, the department's verified savings fall short of that figure.
Schumer defended his decision to support the bill, arguing that a shutdown would only empower Trump and Musk to dismantle essential government services even faster. He warned that without funding, the administration could deem entire agencies unnecessary and furlough workers indefinitely.
Although shutdowns are rare, they are costly and disruptive, halting essential functions like food inspections and closing national parks and monuments. Around 900,000 federal employees could be furloughed, while another million would continue working without pay.
Trump praised Schumer's decision, calling it a courageous move. Schumer, meanwhile, faced criticism from his party, with protesters gathering outside his office accusing him of betrayal. However, he argued that preventing a shutdown was crucial to safeguarding vital services and preventing further damage to the federal bureaucracy.
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