A spending bill to prevent a partial government shutdown narrowly advanced in the Senate, clearing a key procedural hurdle ahead of the midnight Friday deadline.Why It MattersThe U.S. government faces an imminent shutdown if Congress does not pass a funding bill.

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.