Senate seeks bipartisan support to avoid government shutdown

The Senate is working to prevent a partial government shutdown as a funding deadline approaches. Democrats face a choice between supporting a bill that grants President Trump significant spending power or allowing the government to shut down. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer indicated he would not support a shutdown, urging Democrats to vote with Republicans on the funding package. The bill would fund the government through September, cutting non-defense spending by $13 billion while increasing defense spending by $6 billion. The House passed the spending bill earlier this week, leaving the Senate to decide on it. Democrats have raised concerns about the bill's provisions, which they argue give the Trump administration too much control over spending decisions.