US Senate Passes Budget Plan, Avoiding Government Shutdown

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer's support for the Republican-backed measure ensures government operations continue through September.

The US Senate approved a temporary budget plan late Friday, preventing a government shutdown that would have halted federal operations and delayed salaries for workers.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer unexpectedly supported the measure, facing criticism from his party for avoiding a shutdown that could have been blamed on Democrats.
Nine Democratic senators and one independent joined Republicans to pass the budget, which funds government operations until the end of the fiscal year in September.
The Senate now shifts focus to President Trump's proposed tax reforms, which cannot be blocked by Democrats under current Senate rules.
The decision comes as broader fiscal negotiations loom, with Republicans pushing for significant spending cuts, including potential reductions to social programs.