Veteran Democrats privately believed Chuck Schumer’s decision on the shutdown was inevitable. Others were ready for the top Senate Democrat to lead them into their first big battle against President Donald Trump — and instead have been left fuming.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D, N.Y.) spoke from the Senate floor a day after he said Democrats were prepared to shut down the federal government. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/ WASHINGTON—Senate Democrats took the threat of a government shutdown off the table,

As of Wednesday night, it looked like a path was emerging whereby Senate Democrats would abandon plans to filibuster the House-passed spending bill (known as a CR, for “continuing resolution”) needed to keep the government from shutting down midnight on Friday.

What happens to federal employees, air travel and tax filing if lawmakers don’t pass new funding legislation by the weekend deadline?

What does a government shutdown mean? When does the Senate vote? And everything else you need to know about the looming government shutdown.