List of senators who voted against stopgap bill to avert federal shutdown

The Senate passed a short-term funding bill 90-6 early Saturday, keeping the federal government funded through December 11 and pushing the next potential shutdown deadline beyond the November midterm elections.

The measure extends current funding levels after the government’s existing funding expires September 30 and includes several provisions negotiated by lawmakers.

The House has already passed a separate continuing resolution that would fund the government through December 4. The two chambers will therefore have to reconcile their different versions before the legislation can be sent to Trump for his signature.

What The Senate Funding Bill Does

The Senate bill is a continuing resolution, meaning it temporarily extends federal government funding rather than establishing full-year fiscal 2027 appropriations.

It generally maintains current funding levels through December 11, giving Congress additional time to negotiate the individual appropriations bills needed to fund the government for the rest of fiscal year 2027.

The legislation also contains several significant exceptions and policy provisions.

One provision sought by Democrats would prevent funds from being transferred to the Border Patrol. Democrats had opposed giving the Trump administration additional flexibility to redirect money toward border security.

The measure also includes language allowing funding adjustments for housing and food assistance programs, as reported by Reuters.

Another provision has become a point of contention among Republicans: the bill delays implementation of a national ban on most intoxicating hemp products by one month.

The legislation also includes a provision backed by Democrats and some Republicans on the Appropriations Committee, as reported by The Hill, that would temporarily block a White House budget office rule giving executive branch political appointees greater authority over the distribution of federal grants.

The proposed rule would require senior political appointees to review grants before they are awarded and determine whether they advance the president’s policy priorities.

Democrats have argued that the proposal could politicize the federal grant-making process, while the White House Office of Management and Budget has said the change is intended to improve accountability and prevent taxpayer money from being wasted or misused.

The Six Senators Who Voted Against The Bill

The final vote was 90-6, meaning six senators opposed the Senate’s version of the stopgap. The opposition came from three Democrats, one Independent and two Republicans:

Bill Cassidy (R-La.)
Cassidy has served in the Senate since 2015. A physician by profession, he has focused heavily on health care, fiscal policy and government spending during his time in Congress. Before joining the Senate, Cassidy served three terms in the House of Representatives.

Tim Kaine (D-Va.)
Kaine has represented Virginia in the Senate since 2013. He previously served as Virginia’s governor and lieutenant governor and was mayor of Richmond. A Democrat, Kaine has been involved in foreign policy, military affairs and economic issues and was Hillary Clinton’s running mate in the 2016 presidential election.

Ed Markey (D-Mass.)
Markey has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 2013, after more than three decades in the House. He is a prominent Democratic voice on climate change, clean energy and technology policy. Markey has also been a leading advocate for stronger regulation of technology companies and protections for consumers.

Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
Paul, a Republican and physician, has represented Kentucky in the Senate since 2011. He is known for his focus on reducing federal spending, limiting government power and addressing the national debt. Paul has frequently opposed large spending packages and has been one of the Senate’s more outspoken critics of government borrowing.

Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, has represented Vermont in the Senate since 2007. Before that, he served in the House and was mayor of Burlington. Sanders is a longtime progressive voice who has campaigned for expanded health care, higher wages, stronger labor protections and increased taxes on wealthy Americans and corporations.

Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
Warren has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 2013. A former Harvard Law School professor and consumer-protection scholar, she has made financial regulation, economic inequality and consumer rights central issues throughout her Senate career. She was also a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Newsweek contacted all six senators via online form or email Saturday for comment.

Why The Bill Matters For The Midterm Elections

The Senate bill would extend government funding through December 11, pushing the next potential shutdown deadline past the November 3 midterm elections. Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged lawmakers to reach an agreement before the August recess to avoid a shutdown fight during the campaign season.

The House has passed a separate measure that would fund the government through December 4, leaving lawmakers to resolve the difference before the bill can become law.

What Happens Next

The Senate’s vote does not yet avert the possibility of a shutdown.

The House has already approved its own continuing resolution, but that legislation would expire on December 4 rather than December 11. The two chambers must agree on identical legislation before it can be sent to Trump.

If Congress resolves the differences and Trump signs the legislation, federal agencies would remain funded through December 11, preventing a shutdown immediately before the November midterm elections.

The December deadline would then set up another major spending fight after Election Day, when lawmakers would have to agree on full-year fiscal 2027 appropriations or approve another temporary extension.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Matthew Robinson and Trevor Davies