Today's News: Senate Passes GOP-Backed Spending Bill, Avoiding Government Shutdown
The U.S. Senate passed a stopgap funding bill to avert a shutdown just hours before the deadline. Schumer and nine other Democrats voted to advance the bill, despite widespread party opposition.
Photo: Elizabeth Frantz/Pool via AP
Overview
Date: March 14, 2025
Topic: Senate Passes GOP-Backed Spending Bill, Avoiding Government Shutdown, but Dividing Democrats
Summary: The U.S. Senate passed a Republican-backed stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown just hours before the deadline. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nine other Democrats voted to advance the bill, despite widespread opposition within the party. The final vote was 54-46, with Schumer ultimately voting against it. House Democrats, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, strongly opposed the bill, arguing that it would enable President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to further dismantle federal programs. The decision exposed deep divisions among Democrats, with progressives and activists condemning Schumer's move as a capitulation. Trump praised Schumer’s decision, further fueling backlash. The bill, which will fund the government through September, includes spending cuts to non-defense programs and grants the administration broad discretion over funding distribution.
Sources
The New York Times – Schumer, Facing Backlash for Not Forcing a Shutdown, Says He’ll Take ‘the Bullets’
CNN – Congress averts government shutdown after Senate passes stopgap funding bill
NBC News – Senate passes GOP funding bill to avert a government shutdown
Fox News – Shutdown averted after Schumer caves and backs Trump spending bill
The Washington Post – Senate averts shutdown, but vote leaves Democrats bitterly divided
Wall Street Journal – Senate Passes Bill Averting Shutdown, After Critical Boost From Democrats
Key Points
Senate Passed the Bill: The GOP-led spending bill passed 54-46, avoiding a government shutdown just before the deadline.
Schumer’s Role: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer initially opposed the bill but later voted to advance it, arguing that a shutdown would grant Trump more power to cut federal programs unilaterally.
Democratic Division: House Democrats, led by Hakeem Jeffries, vehemently opposed the bill, calling it a "capitulation" to Trump’s agenda. Schumer’s decision triggered backlash from party members, activists, and even former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Republican Victory: The GOP secured a major win. The bill funds the government through September while cutting domestic spending by $13 billion and increasing military spending.
Trump’s Influence: Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE agency are expected to use the bill’s provisions to further reduce federal agencies. Trump praised Schumer’s role in passing the bill, intensifying criticism from Democrats.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times: Reported on Schumer’s long-term strategy to protect Senate Democrats from electoral risks, even if it meant taking political hits now.
CNN: Emphasized how Schumer and nine Democrats broke ranks to advance the bill and the resulting fallout within the Democratic caucus.
NBC News: Highlighted the procedural maneuvering and the role of House Democrats in opposing the bill, contrasting their near-unanimous rejection with the Senate divide.
Fox News: Framed Schumer’s decision as a “cave” to Trump, positioning the vote as a Democratic defeat and Republican victory.
The Washington Post: Detailed the fierce internal debates among Senate Democrats, with some blaming Schumer for not preparing an alternative strategy earlier.
Wall Street Journal: Focused on how this vote underscores the Democratic Party’s limited ability to resist Trump’s agenda in a GOP-controlled government.
Contrasting Details
Schumer’s Justification vs. Democratic Backlash: While Schumer argued that passing the bill prevented Trump from seizing even greater control over federal agencies, many Democrats (CNN, The Washington Post) saw it as a surrender that weakened their negotiating position.
Republican Framing of the Bill: Fox News portrayed the bill as a necessary and successful measure to keep the government running, while the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times noted the bill’s potential to allow Trump and Musk’s DOGE to reshape federal operations.
Extent of Democratic Opposition: CNN and NBC noted that many Senate Democrats were angry but stopped short of calling for Schumer’s resignation, while The New York Times and The Washington Post highlighted grassroots calls for him to step down.
Strategic Calculations: The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal suggested Schumer took a pragmatic approach to avoid a prolonged shutdown, while The Washington Post and NBC News framed it as a failure of leadership and strategy.
Focus on GOP Gains: The Wall Street Journal and Fox News emphasized the Republican win in securing budget cuts and restructuring power, while The Washington Post and CNN highlighted concerns about how the bill could facilitate deeper federal workforce reductions.
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