NPR's Michel Martin talks with Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware about Senate prospects for passage of a spending bill to avert a government shutdown.

The Senate voted to advance a spending bill to fund the government through Sept. 30, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. The vote exposed a deep rift among Democrats.

The Senate voted to advance a spending bill to fund the government through Sept. 30, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. The vote exposed a deep rift among Democrats.

Friday to pass a Republican-sponsored stopgap funding bill that averted a federal government shutdown. The vote was the second of two key votes that passed the bill: The advance vote: The Senate voted 62-38 to end debate on the bill – a cloture vote – and advance it to a final vote.

WASHINGTON – Ten Senate Democrats joined with most of their GOP colleagues on Friday to advance a government funding bill, averting a partial shutdown of major federal services beginning at midnight.

Dozens of House Democrats sent a letter to Schumer on Friday to express their “strong opposition” to his plan to back the Republican measure

The Senate approaches a key test vote Friday afternoon as lawmakers work to avoid a partial government shutdown, with Democrats confronting 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.