Senate Democrats signal support for gov't spending bill

NEW YORK (AA) – Democrats will vote to avert a government shutdown, lawmaker Chuck Schumer told the Senate late Friday.

“We’re going to provide the votes to make sure we don’t shut down,” Schumer, the New York senator said in a speech from the floor of the chamber.

Earlier Friday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly carried a spending measure to keep the government operating through April.

Lawmakers have one week to pass a spending bill that appeared to be on thin ice amid significant opposition in the Senate.

Senators from states with a strong mining sector have taken issue with the legislation's limited extension of health care benefits for miners.

“There are so many people who want to stand with the miners,” Schumer said. “We never intended to shut down the government.”

If signed into law, the budget battle will be passed to the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump as the government will only be financed three months into his tenure.