Senate seeks bipartisan support to avoid government shutdown

The Senate is preparing for a crucial vote to prevent a partial government shutdown, with a midnight deadline approaching. Democrats face pressure to either support a spending bill that grants President Trump significant control over funding or risk a shutdown. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has shifted his stance, indicating he will not allow a government shutdown, despite opposition from some party members. The House Democratic leadership has criticized this decision, warning against supporting Trump's agenda. The proposed bill would fund the government until September, cutting non-defense spending by $13 billion while increasing defense spending by $6 billion. Democrats are concerned about the bill's lack of specific funding directives, which they argue gives the Trump administration too much discretion over spending.