The proposed package would keep the government running through September, but Democratic lawmakers are under intense pressure from their party’s grassroots to reject the bill, which includes deep spending cuts that many see as harmful
The US government is teetering on the edge of a shutdown as a critical funding deadline looms, with Democrats facing a high-stakes decision on whether to oppose President Donald Trump’s spending plans. The Senate is set for a decisive vote ahead of the midnight deadline on Friday, with a Trump-backed funding bill that has already passed the House of Representatives hanging in the balance. If no agreement is reached, federal agencies could begin winding down operations over the weekend.
The proposed package would keep the government running through September, but Democratic lawmakers are under intense pressure from their party’s grassroots to reject the bill, which includes deep spending cuts that many see as harmful. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Trump’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded unofficially by tech mogul and presidential adviser Elon Musk. The department has aggressively sought to slash federal spending, with a target of reducing expenditures by $1 trillion this year.
So far, DOGE claims to have saved $115 billion through measures such as lease terminations, contract cancellations, and mass layoffs of federal employees. However, watchdogs and media investigations have cast doubt on the legitimacy of its reported savings, with critics accusing DOGE of using misleading figures and flawed calculations.
Trump has put the blame for a potential shutdown squarely on the Democrats, stating that the House has already done its part. “If it shuts down, it’s not the Republicans’ fault. We passed a bill… If there’s a shutdown, even the Democrats admit it will be their fault,” he told reporters on Thursday.
Senate Democrats are deeply divided over how to proceed. While some moderates fear the political fallout of a government shutdown and appear willing to back the bill, others are determined to take a stand against what they see as an unchecked power grab by Musk and Trump. Washington progressive representative Pramila Jayapal warned of a “huge backlash” against any Democratic senator who votes in favour of the measure, arguing that a shutdown might be the only way to force the administration to make concessions.
However, some Democrats fear that a shutdown could ultimately serve Musk’s and Trump’s interests by facilitating further layoffs and allowing DOGE to push through its more controversial plans with less scrutiny. The department’s latest round of cuts, which included slashing half of the Education Department’s workforce, has already provoked outrage among Democrats and public sector workers alike.
The Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-seat majority, requires at least eight Democratic votes to advance the funding bill. While Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has signalled his support for moving the bill forward, he has not mandated that his party follow suit. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s a bill that we all agree we don’t like, but we can’t ever allow the government to shut down.”
To gain more Democratic support, Republican leaders may allow amendment votes on key Democratic priorities. While these amendments would likely fail, they could provide Democrats with a symbolic win to take back to their constituents. However, it remains to be seen whether such concessions would be enough to shield them from accusations of capitulating to Trump and Musk.
