Senate Democrats Anticipated to Support GOP Spending Bill to Prevent Shutdown

WASHINGTON—Senate Democrats are anticipated to aid Republicans on March 14 in passing a bill approved by the House aimed at keeping the government functioning, just hours before a shutdown is scheduled to take effect.

Amidst uncertainty regarding its future in the upper chamber, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated he would begrudgingly support moving forward with the bill.

“I will vote to keep the government open and avoid a shutdown,” he declared during a Senate floor address on March 13.

The temporary funding measure, which passed in the House on March 11 with a slim margin of 217-213, extends the funding deadline from March 14 to September 30, the last day of the fiscal year.

It proposes an increase of around $6 billion in defense spending while reducing non-defense spending by $13 billion from last year’s figures. Altogether, the legislation results in a net spending reduction of approximately $7 billion compared to the previous year.

The Senate is expected to vote on the bill’s cloture later this afternoon. If successful, it will move forward to a final vote in the Senate.

The measure passed through the House with a slim margin, mostly following party lines, except for Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who opposed it, and Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who sided with the bill against his party’s stance.

This raised immediate questions regarding its chances in the Senate, where the bill must surpass the 60-vote filibuster requirement, necessitating bipartisan support.

Former President Donald Trump has been a vocal supporter of the bill, asserting that any shutdown would be attributed to the opposition party.

“If there’s a shutdown, it’s solely because of the Democrats, who would significantly harm our country and its citizens,” Trump stated from the Oval Office on March 13.

Senate Republicans

Most Senate Republicans are anticipated to back the bill without significant opposition, including certain swing-vote members. A few remain undecided.

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), who is eyeing a reelection campaign in her blue-leaning New England state in 2026, has confirmed her support for the bill. “Our priority must be on preventing an unnecessary and costly government shutdown,” she remarked.

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who often diverges from her party on crucial issues, stated her disapproval of the bill and of a government shutdown as well.

“It’s a choice between two unacceptable options,” she told reporters. “Neither of those options is desirable.”

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has not disclosed his voting intention but suggested he is not in favor of the current bill. He noted that it closely resembles a version passed by the Senate in December, which he voted against.

Paul expressed his intent to propose an amendment aimed at initiating some of the proposed cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Such amendments would necessitate another House vote, making their success unlikely.

‘Lose-Lose Situation’

Before Schumer’s speech, many Senate Democrats appeared inclined to reject the legislation during the procedural vote.

These lawmakers preferred a temporary 30-day continuing resolution—Congress’s term for interim spending measures—to facilitate negotiations. Democrats are likely to introduce an amendment to support this stance, though it is expected to fail.

Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), often regarded as one of the more centrist Democrats in the Senate, criticized the GOP’s six-month spending bill as partisan and indicated he would vote against cloture to “compel a genuine negotiation.”

Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) referred to the bill as a power grab, asserting that Republicans aim to “slash and burn government services.” She denied support for the bill in a post on social media platform X, saying she would be a “firm no.”

Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) expressed in a video on X that the bill represents a “relinquishment of Congressional powers.”

Other more senior Senate Democrats have been cautious in their commitments. The party has consistently sought to position itself against government shutdowns or using the process for political bargaining.

When asked by The Epoch Times whether the bill or a shutdown is more unfavorable from their viewpoint, Senate Minority Whip Durbin (D-Ill.) responded, “Both [are] detrimental.”

Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) considered it a lose-lose circumstance.

Schumer characterized the situation as a Hobson’s choice, presenting two options that essentially lead to one outcome. He warned that a government shutdown would grant Trump greater authority to impose cuts to government operations, as the executive branch holds extensive powers regarding essential employee designations during such a scenario.

Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was already inclined to support the bill, describing Democrats’ 30-day alternative proposal as mere theatrics.

Although Schumer’s shift has put many in his party in a challenging position, his endorsement will likely ensure the bill’s passage.