An afternoon vote was expected to clear the way for a Republican-written bill to keep government funding flowing past midnight after the top Senate Democrat said he would not block it.

One crisis looks to be avoided as a midnight deadline looms to keep the government funded amid economic uncertainty and a brewing trade war.

The Senate is working to avoid a partial government shutdown with just hours to spare Friday. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer signalled he'd allow Democrats to side with Republicans and allow t