The party’s split over supporting a spending extension to avert a lapse in government funding boiled down to a practical question of how much power the president has in a shutdown.

WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump praised a longtime adversary, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, after the New York Democrat said he would vote in favor of a Republican bill to fund the government and avert a shutdown.

Amid Democratic warring over Schumer’s decision not to block it, the GOP stopgap bill was passed by the Senate 54-46.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate finds itself on Friday in a familiar position, working to avoid a partial government shutdown with just hours to spare as Democrats confront two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gives President Donald Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or voting no and letting a funding lapse ensue.

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Senate has passed a six-month spending bill Friday evening, hours before a potential government shutdown. This comes after fierce Democratic opposition to the bill. The final vote was 54-46. Democrats were frustrated that Republicans went ahead with the funding bill with little input from them.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has announced he's ready to start the process of considering a Republican-led spending bill to prevent a midnight Friday government shutdown.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer relented Thursday rather than risk a government shutdown, announcing he’s ready to start the process of considering a Republican-led government funding bill that has fiercely divided Democrats.