The Senate has passed a House-approved government funding bill, preventing a shutdown that was set to take effect at midnight on Friday. The bill cleared the Senate in a 54-46 vote, following a contentious debate that saw some Democrats break ranks to support the measure.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) played a key role in moving the bill forward, despite opposition from within his own party. Independent Senator Angus King, who caucuses with the Democrats, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen were the only Democratic-aligned members to vote in favor of the bill. The rest of the Democratic caucus opposed it.

On the Republican side, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the sole member of his party to vote against the measure.

Earlier in the day, 10 Senate Democrats provided the crucial votes needed to advance a test vote, siding with Schumer despite pushback from other Democrats.

“I know a lot of members didn’t like the CR, but a government shutdown would be far worse,” Schumer said in an interview with CNN between votes. “A government shutdown gives Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE almost complete power … to close down because they can decide what is an essential service.”

He defended his decision to support the short-term Republican-backed funding bill, a move that sparked criticism from fellow Democrats. “My job as leader is to lead the party,” he said. “And if there’s going to be danger in the near future, to protect the party. And I’m proud I did it.”

Schumer’s abrupt reversal, announced late Thursday—just a day after he vowed to block the bill—virtually guaranteed the measure’s passage just hours before the shutdown deadline.

“As everyone knows, government funding expires at midnight tonight,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Friday morning. “As I announced yesterday, I will vote to keep the government open. I believe it is the best way to minimize the harm that the Trump administration will do to the American people.”