It is looking increasingly likely that the US government will be shut down next Wednesday. Playing hardball: A government shutdown would give Donald Trump even more power over spending decisions. Credit: APUnder the US Senate’s rules, Republicans need 60 votes to pass the bill, which means they need at least seven Democrat defectors. They got ten in March, but this time it appears the Democrats will hold fast. Indeed, last week, when both parties put up competing proposals for a short-term fix, both of which failed, the Democrats attracted two Republican votes.