WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate finds itself on Friday in a familiar position, working to avoid a partial government shutdown with just hours to spare as Democrats confront 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.

Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, said he would vote to end the filibuster, indicating sufficient support among other party members to allow vote on Republican bill.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said Democrats will stand in the way of efforts to pass a Republican-led budget patch that passed the House earlier this week with almost no bipartisan support.

A midnight Friday deadline is looming for the U.S. Senate to pass a federal funding bill to avert a government shutdown.

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 at the end of the day.