The Senate, controlled by Republicans, is set to vote on a short-term spending bill to prevent a government shutdown before the looming deadline this Friday. The bill, which narrowly passed the House, maintains spending levels from the previous administration, with notable changes such as cutting a billion dollars from the District of Columbia’s budget and increasing military spending by $6 billion. However, it excludes funding for projects in lawmakers’ districts. To pass the Senate, the bill requires 60 votes to overcome a potential filibuster, with Senator Rand Paul already planning to vote ‘no’. President Trump has indicated he will blame Democrats if a shutdown occurs.

Senator Chris Coons has voiced opposition to the bill, citing concerns over President Trump’s budget cuts impacting critical services and potential threats to social programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. Coons argues that the bill grants the president excessive authority to allocate funds without proper oversight. He emphasizes that the bill lacks provisions for congressional involvement in spending decisions. Coons aligns his stance against the bill with broader resistance to the Trump administration’s actions, highlighting the need to prevent further disruptions and cuts to government agencies.

In response to potential government shutdown accusations, Coons asserts that it is Trump and Elon Musk who are already causing disruptions within government agencies. The Senator emphasizes the need for a clear and coherent response from Democrats to address the challenges posed by the administration.