The Senate moved forward with a Republican spending plan in a crucial vote that effectively swept away the threat of a US government shutdown while exacerbating a furious struggle within the Democratic party over how to confront Donald Trump’s audacious expansion of presidential power.

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer voted alongside all Republicans in a key procedural vote to advance House Republicans’ spending bill that would keep the government open for another six months, beyond the midnight shutdown deadline.

In talk show appearances, House Democrats said the minority party needed a different approach to challenge President Donald Trump's agenda.

A growing number of Democratic Party politicians, strategists and consultants are signaling anger against Sen. Chuck Schumer after he supported a Republican spending bill.

“I cannot vote for an irresponsible and hyper-partisan bill that gives Trump and Musk even more power to hurt millions of Americans all while Congressional Republicans continue to push for cuts to Medicaid to pay for more tax breaks for the ultra-rich and giant corporations,” Rosen said in a statement issued by her office prior to Friday’s vote.