The Senate is readying to pass a trio of bills to fund the government, and for now, neither side wants to engage in another government shutdown. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The roughly $174 billion package, which cruised through the House last week, includes funding bills for commerce, justice, science and related agencies; energy and water development and related agencies; and interior, environment and related agencies.
If passed later on Thursday, it’ll mark six total spending bills that lawmakers have put on President Donald Trump’s desk.
But it’s only halfway to the magic dozen that are needed to fund the government. Many lawmakers acknowledge that given the short amount of time left before the deadline, and lingering issues with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, a short-term funding extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR), will be needed to prevent a shutdown.
DHS AT CENTER OF PROGRESSIVE REVOLT AS HOUSE ADVANCES $80B SPENDING PACKAGE
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to the media following the weekly Senate policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 13, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
But it’s unlikely Republicans will play ball with that request, meaning the bill will stay in limbo for the time being. That divide won’t be an easy mountain to climb, and the Senate is gearing up to leave for a week, returning to Washington, D.C., the week of the funding deadline.
Senate Democrats also don’t want to turn to a year-long CR, a good sign that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus are serious about finishing the work of funding the government.
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Earlier this week, Schumer lauded Democratic negotiators who worked on the package, and noted that it was full of their own spending priorities meant to push back against Trump.
"Their leadership stopped the worst of Donald Trump's devastating cuts, protected investments that millions of Americans depend on, from education to housing to jobs," Schumer said. "Though this isn't the finish line, it's a good step in the right direction."
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/174b-spending-package-avert-shutdown-clears-key-hurdle-senate