Senate to vote on GOP measure to avert government shutdown as Democrats fume over choice

Washington — The Senate is expected to begin voting Friday afternoon on a Republican-led stopgap measure to keep the government funded ahead of a midnight deadline, following days of consternation from Senate Democrats over an uncomfortable choice — to allow the GOP bill to pass or let the government shut down.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer initially signaled that his caucus would fight back against the partisan measure to keep the government funded through September. But instead he reluctantly pledged on Thursday to advance it, delivering one of the Democratic votes necessary to propel it to passage. He warned of the larger threat a shutdown would pose for the American people. 

"For sure, the Republican bill is a terrible option," the New York Democrat said, calling the bill "deeply partisan" and urging that "it doesn't address far too many of this country's needs." "But I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option."