U.S. Senate’s Approval of Funding Bill Creates Tension Among Democrats 

The US Senate has made a pivotal move toward averting a government shutdown by passing a Republican-backed spending bill.

However, this decision has sparked a major rift within the Democratic Party, especially regarding President Donald Trump’s efforts to increase executive power.

The Senate passed the bill with a 62-38 vote, putting congressional Democrats in a difficult position as they lose what they viewed as crucial leverage to limit Trump’s and Elon Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives. These include reducing the federal workforce and dismantling entire government agencies. With limited legislative options remaining, critics are now expected to focus on challenging these actions through the courts.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer played a decisive role in the outcome. With a shutdown looming, Schumer announced that he would drop his party’s opposition to the spending package, prioritizing the continuation of government services over political conflict.

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This shift is seen as a victory for Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, clearing the path for the bill’s final approval. The package guarantees that Musk’s newly created Office of Government Efficiency retains power to make large budget cuts while also ensuring government funding through the fiscal year’s end on September 30.

This political stalemate has come at a time of significant turmoil in the financial markets. Trump’s tariff policies have triggered widespread investor anxiety, with the S&P 500 experiencing a correction, losing more than 10% in just three weeks. However, news of the Senate’s progress on the spending bill led to a 2% market rebound on Friday.

In a rare show of cross-party support, nine Democrats and one independent joined nearly all Republicans to pass the bill, surpassing the critical 60-vote threshold.

Alexander Stefanov