US Congress passes funding bill, avoids shutdown

The U.S. Congress avoided a government shutdown by passing a funding bill just before a midnight deadline. Democrats, facing pressure from their base, ultimately supported a Republican-backed proposal after initially planning to block it. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, shifted their stance to prevent a shutdown, which could have worsened the impact of President Trump's spending cuts. Ten Democrats joined Republicans to ensure the bill's passage. The funding fight centered on Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to cut federal spending significantly. Schumer faced backlash from grassroots Democrats for his decision to support the bill, which they viewed as a betrayal.