Schumer averts shutdown after defeating GOP rebellion over Biden vaccine mandate

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer averted a government shutdown on Thursday after all 50 Democrats stuck together to defeat a rebellion by GOP lawmakers over President Biden’s national COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Mr. Schumer, New York Democrat, struck a deal with a cadre of conservative senators to expedite passage of a stop-gap funding measure to keep the government afloat past Dec. 3.

“I am pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached between Democrats and Republicans that will allow the Senate to take up and pass the continuing resolution to fund the government through February 18,” Mr. Schumer said. “With this agreement, there will be no government shutdown.”

Overall, the short-term spending measure passed the Senate by a vote of 69-to-28. Nineteen Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, joined with all 50 Democrats to keep the government open.