The U.S. Senate narrowly avoided a federal government shutdown by approving a bill just hours before the midnight deadline. The vote proceeded after enough Democrats decided against blocking the Republican bill with a filibuster. Notably, Vermont’s senators, Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, did not support the bill, citing concerns about the excessive budgetary power it granted to President Donald Trump and his advisers.
Sanders and Welch criticized the bill, which extends government funding through September 30, for potentially enabling Trump and his adviser, Elon Musk, to make budget cuts and defund programs without congressional oversight. Welch labeled the actions of Trump and Musk as a “reckless, illegal rampage,” while Sanders expressed worries about the bill providing a “blank check” for the administration to harm vulnerable groups in favor of tax breaks for the wealthy.
While Vermont’s senators stood in opposition, senators from neighboring northern New England states, including New Hampshire and Maine, supported advancing the funding bill. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, along with Susan Collins and Angus King from Maine, played pivotal roles in reaching the required 60 votes to move the bill forward. Ultimately, the bill passed with a 54-46 vote, despite Sanders condemning the Democratic leadership’s actions as a “dereliction of duty.”
In the face of potential cuts to critical programs like veterans’ medical care, scientific research, disaster relief, and flood resilience, the Vermont delegation expressed deep concerns about the bill’s lack of specific language. They emphasized the need for bipartisan negotiations and a more targeted approach to funding. Rep. Becca Balint, Vermont’s sole House member, aligned with her fellow delegation members in voting against the resolution, citing the potential for further erosion of checks and balances under the guise of supporting Trump and Musk’s agenda.
Despite the urgency to keep the government running, the Vermont delegation’s principled stand highlights the importance of careful consideration and accountability in budget decisions. As the political landscape continues to shift, the role of lawmakers in safeguarding the interests of all Americans remains paramount. The Senate’s last-minute approval of the funding bill underscores the complex balancing act of governance in a divided political climate.
