Schumer caves, hands Republicans shutdown win after months of uncertainty

Senate Advances Continuing Resolution to Avert Government Shutdown

The Senate on Saturday advanced a continuing resolution to fund the government through early December, ending weeks of negotiations over spending legislation ahead of the midterm elections. The measure passed by a 90-6 vote and extends current funding levels while addressing certain administration policies on federal grants.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats had sought for months to avoid a lapse in appropriations and had secured changes to a proposed rule on federal grants as part of the agreement. "We want to reach across the aisle and hammer out a budget that delivers for the American people," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "Today, this CR gives us the breathing room necessary to work out a budget that helps make life more affordable to working families."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., described the outcome as the result of extended discussions between the parties. He said Democrats concluded that prolonged uncertainty over funding would not serve their interests in the coming election cycle. "I think they didn't want to spend the next, well … three months defending attacks from Republicans about wanting to shut the government down," Thune told Fox News Digital. "I mean, I think there was a narrative starting to build out there based on what's happened the last 12 months."

The continuing resolution maintains current spending rates and includes provisions allowing further talks on full-year appropriations after the November elections. Lawmakers will return to those negotiations during the lame-duck session that follows the midterms. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., expressed doubt that a comprehensive budget agreement would be completed by the December 11 expiration date. "Us having a budget done on December 11? It takes on whiffs of frozen hell, donkeys flying," Kennedy said. "I mean, it's probably not gonna happen."

The Senate measure now moves to the House, where separate consideration is required before the current funding period ends. Previous government funding lapses in recent years lasted 43 days and 76 days, respectively. During earlier debates, some senators proposed that members of Congress forgo pay during any future shutdown, though that provision was not part of the current resolution.

Schumer emphasized that the agreement allows time for broader budget talks focused on affordability and oversight of executive actions. Thune noted that both parties had exchanged proposals over several months and that the final terms reflected a mutual decision to maintain operations through the election period. The legislation does not alter overall spending caps but defers decisions on new appropriations until after voters have cast ballots.

Additional procedural steps remain in the House before the measure can be sent to the president. If enacted, the extension would provide stability for federal agencies through the first week of December while Congress addresses the remaining appropriations bills.