Senate Republicans scored a major victory Monday in their effort to prevent another government shutdown after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer threw his support behind a short-term funding measure, giving the legislation crucial bipartisan momentum as lawmakers race to keep the government operating through the November midterm elections.

The Senate voted with bipartisan support to clear the first procedural hurdle for a continuing resolution that would extend government funding into early December. The move comes nearly two months before the Sept. 30 funding deadline and marks a significant step toward avoiding another shutdown battle.

For months, Republicans had warned that Democrats might once again force a government shutdown in an effort to gain political leverage ahead of the November elections. Monday’s vote, however, suggested a willingness from both parties to avoid another fiscal standoff.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune argued there was no reason to wait until the last minute, saying Congress should provide stability now instead of prolonging uncertainty.

“There’s been enough uncertainty this last year, and, you know, unfortunately, I think through two government shutdowns that extended for a long period of time, it’s better for everybody if there’s predictability, certainty,” Thune said.

Congress has already endured multiple shutdowns during President Donald Trump’s second term, including two of the longest government closures in American history while Republicans controlled Congress.

The first shutdown occurred last year and lasted more than 40 days, centering on a dispute over Obamacare tax subsidies that ultimately expired without a lasting resolution.

A second shutdown earlier this year stretched beyond 70 days after Democrats abandoned a bipartisan funding agreement following the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota by immigration enforcement agents. Republicans ultimately bypassed Democratic support and approved immigration enforcement funding on their own.

Despite those recent confrontations, senators from both parties are now signaling a desire to keep the government funded, at least through the upcoming elections.

Schumer announced Monday that he would support the continuing resolution, describing it as the best available option while broader budget negotiations continue.

He called the measure the “responsible path forward that allows continued bipartisan negotiations on a budget that delivers for American families.”

“For months, Democrats have been clear: we want to fund the government, avoid a shutdown and pass strong, bipartisan appropriations bills that improve people’s lives,” Schumer said in a statement.

Republican leaders are aiming to send the continuing resolution to the House before senators leave Washington for their final scheduled recess ahead of the midterm elections.

Even if the funding measure advances, Congress still faces a packed agenda. Republican leaders are also seeking to confirm more than 70 nominees, move forward with long-awaited sanctions targeting Russia, consider legislation establishing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency markets, and hold a final confirmation vote on Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee to serve as attorney general.

“I think we have a bunch of stuff we have to finish and we’ll just stay until we finish it,” Thune said.