The US House of Representatives approved a continuing resolution (CR), a temporary spending measure on Tuesday to prevent an imminent government shutdown. It funds the government through September 30, giving lawmakers more time to negotiate a long-term budget.
The measure now moves to the Senate, where it faces a tough battle. The bill requires at least eight Democratic votes to pass, but many Democrats oppose it due to proposed budget cuts. These include reductions in funding for veterans’ health programs, medical research, nuclear non-proliferation, and rural broadband.
Most Senate Democrats oppose the 99-page continuing resolution (CR), as it cuts domestic spending by approximately $13 billion while raising defense funding by around $6 billion.
One controversial aspect of the bill is a provision that limits Congress’s ability to challenge tariffs imposed under emergency economic powers. This has drawn criticism from both parties, as it gives the White House more control over trade policy.

If the Senate rejects the bill, the government will shut down at midnight on Friday. A shutdown would result in the suspension of many federal services, furloughs for thousands of government workers, and economic uncertainty. The financial markets, already affected by trade tensions and inflation fears, could take another hit.
Republicans argue that if Democrats block the bill, they will be responsible for a shutdown—just months after they blamed the Republican party for the same issue in December.
Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, have blasted the bill, arguing it gives the Trump administration too much control over federal spending. Murray warned it would let Trump and Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, dictate budget priorities, potentially hurting both blue and red states, reported Associated Press.