Democrats were stuck between two choices they despised: Vote for a funding bill that reflects Republican spending priorities and will give Trump and his allies more leeway to dismantle the federal government, or shut the government down by denying their vote and risk facing political backlash and blame.

The Senate has passed a Republican-led six-month spending bill hours before a government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition to the measure.

A government shutdown was averted just hours before the Friday 11:59 p.m. deadline after enough Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., helped Republicans defeat the filibuster.