Schumer’s comments are a change in tune from Wednesday when he said that Democrats would not provide the votes needed to approve the House-passed stopgap funding measure. He argued that the Senate should instead vote on a “clean” bill that would maintain spending levels for 30 days to enable bipartisan negotiations.

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

Democrats have said they will not vote for a Republican spending patch that funds the government through September, arguing that Congress instead should compromise in a shorter-term budget resolution.

Senate Democrats say they are prepared to vote against the Republicans’ bill if lawmakers do not strike a deal by Friday night.

The Senate plans to take up a House-passed bill to fund the government through September beginning on Friday, which needs the support of Democrats to move forward.