Senate aims to avoid government shutdown deadline

The Senate is working to prevent a partial government shutdown as Democrats face a choice between supporting a spending bill they oppose or allowing funding to lapse. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has decided to push for the bill despite internal party dissent. The proposed legislation would fund the government through September, cutting non-defense spending by $13 billion while increasing defense spending by $6 billion. It gives the Trump administration significant discretion over spending, which many Democrats criticize as a "blank check." House Democrats have expressed strong opposition to the bill, warning against supporting Trump's agenda. The Senate needs at least eight Democratic votes to advance the bill, with a procedural vote scheduled for Friday.