US Govt Shutdown Averted, Trump Signs Spending Bill After Divided Democrats Fail To Block It In Senate
US President Trump signed a funding bill preventing a government shutdown. The legislation maintains funding levels but reduces non-defense spending.
United States President Donald Trump has signed into law a funding bill that ensures government operations continue through September, preventing a partial government shutdown. The move concludes a contentious battle in Congress that exposed deep rifts within the Democratic Party.
Harrison Fields, White House principal deputy press secretary, confirmed in a post on X that Trump signed the continuing resolution on Saturday.
.@POTUS signed the CR.
— Harrison Fields (@HFields47) March 15, 2025
Thank you, @SpeakerJohnson, @LeaderJohnThune, @SenSchumer, @HouseGOP, @SenateGOP, @SenFettermanPA, @SenCortezMasto, @SenBrianSchatz, @SenatorDurbin, @SenGillibrand, @SenGaryPeters, @SenatorHassan, @SenatorShaheen, and @SenAngusKing. https://t.co/HQiZY4t65T
The legislation maintains government funding at levels set during Joe Biden’s presidency, with some modifications, news agency AP reported. It reduces non-defence spending by approximately $13 billion compared to the previous year while increasing defence spending by about $6 billion. These changes are relatively minor, given the overall spending package of nearly $1.7 trillion.
The Senate approved the bill on Friday in a 54-46 vote, with ten members of the Senate Democratic caucus supporting its passage despite strong opposition from within their party, particularly from House Democrats who urged its rejection, as per AP.
Senate Democrats had debated for days on whether to block the measure, expressing frustration that Republicans in the House had drafted and passed the bill without their input. They argued that the legislation underfunds critical areas such as healthcare and housing while granting Trump significant authority to reallocate federal spending. Concerns were also raised over the administration and the Department of Government Efficiency dismantling congressionally approved agencies and programmes, as per AP's report.
However, some Democratic senators ultimately decided that allowing a government shutdown would have worse consequences than approving the bill.
Shutdown Will Allow DOGE To Shift Into Overdrive: Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned that a shutdown would give the Trump administration the ability to designate entire agencies and staff as non-essential, leading to furloughs with no guarantee of rehiring.
“A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive,” Schumer said, as quoted by the report. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster rate.”
The passage of the bill earlier in the week in the House was seen as a major victory for Trump and US House Speaker Mike Johnson. They successfully pushed the legislation through without Democratic support—an uncommon feat for Republicans in recent years.
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