Schumer to Support Republican Spending Bill to Avoid Gov’t Shutdown

The US may avert a looming government shutdown after a top Democrat said he would support a Republican funding bill to keep it open.

The BBC is reporting that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his reversal on Thursday, after vowing he and other Democrats would block the bill, which would fund the government through September.

It is possible a handful of other Democrats might now elect to vote to approve the measure, though it remains unclear.

Democrats face two options: Help Republicans pass the bill or stand their ground and oppose it.

If they oppose the bill, it is likely they would take the brunt of the blame for the shutdown, which would start at midnight on Friday.

Schumer said in his announcement on the Senate floor that there are no winners in a government shutdown.