Senate passes funding bill, avoiding government shutdown

The Senate passed a six-month funding bill on Friday, avoiding a government shutdown. The vote was 54-46, with some Democrats reluctantly supporting the bill despite concerns over its lack of input and funding priorities. The legislation will fund the government through September, cutting non-defense spending by $13 billion while increasing defense spending by $6 billion. This is the third short-term extension for the current fiscal year, as Congress has struggled to pass annual appropriations bills. Democrats criticized the bill for giving President Trump significant discretion over spending decisions, referring to it as a "blank check." The Senate also plans to address a provision affecting the District of Columbia's budget, allowing it to maintain spending at 2025 levels.