Friday to pass a Republican-sponsored stopgap funding bill that averted a federal government shutdown. The vote was the second of two key votes that passed the bill: The advance vote: The Senate voted 62-38 to end debate on the bill – a cloture vote – and advance it to a final vote.

Ten Democrats joined Republicans to surpass the 60-vote threshold, with the measure advancing by a 62-38 vote.

N.Y., sidestepped questions on whether he had confidence in Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Friday. The top House Democrat was directly asked about Schumer twice during a hastily-announced press conference to emphasize their opposition to Republicans' government funding bill.

Dozens of House Democrats sent a letter to Schumer on Friday to express their “strong opposition” to his plan to back the Republican measure

In failing to demonstrate what they stand for, Democrats fumbled the chance to show why they deserve a return to power, centrists and progressives say.