When a shutdown happens, the government isn’t able to spend money — with some exceptions — meaning that federal employees across the country are expected to work without pay until after the shutdown ends. In turn, essential services will continue to operate, but resources will be significantly strained.

The House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday to avert a partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies through September. The bill now needs support from eight Democrats in the Senate to get it to Trump’s desk.

Democrats are peering into the abyss of forcing a government shutdown. They may be badly overestimating their leverage.