"I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country to minimize the harms to the American people. Therefore I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down." Schumer's announcement significantly increases the chances that enough Democratic senators will side with Republicans to avoid a government shutdown,

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer relented Thursday rather than risk a government shutdown, announcing he’s ready to start the process of considering a Republican-led government funding bill that has fiercely divided Democrats.

The measure had a pathway for passage following the cloture vote on the bill, which passed on a near-partisan basis in the House but requires 3/5 approval in the Senate.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took to the Senate floor Friday morning to defend his decision to support a Republican short-term funding bill that will effectively help avoid a government shutdown.