The U.S. Senate on Friday night averted a looming midnight shutdown of the federal government by passing a funding bill after approving a key procedural vote with the support of enough Democrats. The measure passed 54-46,

Updates and the latest news as U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum kick in and the Senate turns to a government funding bill to avoid a shutdown.

Universities across the U.S. have announced hiring freezes due to the risk of federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The federal funds on the chopping block include support for special education, low-income students, Pell Grants, food programs and financial aid. According to the governor's office, the cuts could cost Massachusetts roughly $2 billion in federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has ended the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, cutting over $1 billion in federal funding to food banks across the country.