Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) became the third Senate Democrat to publicly support advancing the House-passed stopgap funding bill, as a potential government shutdown looms. The Senate will vote on cloture Friday for the spending bill that would keep the government funded at current levels through the end of September,

A vote to end debate on the House-passed stopgap spending bill to avoid a government shutdown will take place on Friday afternoon ahead of the late night deadline.

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.