Senate approves funding bill hours before shutdown deadline, sending to Trump for signature

Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, initially opposed the bill but relented, citing concerns that a shutdown would be worse as Trump and his adviser Elon Musk accelerated spending cuts.

The bill passed in a 54-46 vote after defeating four proposed amendments, clearing the way for Trump to sign it into law.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz criticised Democrats for what he called “political theatre”, saying Americans had voted for stability under Trump's leadership. “In their typical fashion, Senate Democrats engaged in the political theatre to delay the inevitable and cause instability,” he said.