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

President Trump signed a funding bill that keeps the government open through September, averting a shutdown after a drama-filled week on Capitol Hill.

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.

The Senate passed a House-approved government funding bill that averts a government shutdown that was set to be triggered at the end of the day Friday.

President Trump praised Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for saying he would back the GOP spending bill to avert a government shutdown.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took heavy criticism from fellow Democrats for allowing GOP measure to proceed, calling it the better of two bad options.

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.