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In a dramatic shift, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Thursday that he would support the Republican-led six-month funding bill, significantly boosting its chances of passing and preventing a government shutdown set to begin Friday night.
Schumer’s decision marks a major concession after he previously vowed that Democrats would block the measure. It comes as a growing number of Senate Democrats voice opposition to the GOP-crafted bill, citing concerns about executive overreach and deep cuts to domestic spending.
“There are no winners in a government shutdown,” Schumer said in a Senate floor speech. “It’s not really a decision; it’s a Hobson’s choice: Either proceed with the bill before us or risk Donald Trump throwing America into the chaos of a shutdown.”
Despite his criticisms of the bill, Schumer stated that allowing Trump to wield even greater power through a prolonged shutdown was the worse alternative.
Bill Gains Momentum in Senate Despite Democratic Opposition
The House passed the funding bill earlier this week with near-unanimous Republican support, but only one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), backed the measure.
Now, with Schumer’s endorsement, the bill appears poised to surpass the 60-vote Senate threshold, though opposition within the Democratic caucus remains fierce.
“We have a choice between terrible and awful,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), summing up the party’s dilemma.
Several Senate Democrats, including Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.), have come out against the measure, criticizing it as a “grab bag of extreme policies”that prioritizes Republican goals while slashing non-defense domestic programs.
“One thing is certain: If we pass this continuing resolution for the next half year, we will own what the president does,” warned Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
Concerns Over Republican-Controlled Spending
Democrats’ objections to the bill stem from multiple factors:
- Lack of Input: The GOP-drafted bill was developed without Democratic involvement, fueling concerns that supporting it would cede power to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Trump.
- Spending Cuts: The legislation boosts military funding while cutting billions from domestic programs, including reductions affecting the District of Columbia’s budget.
- Executive Overreach: Without guardrails, Democrats fear that passing the bill would give Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk unchecked authority to dismantle parts of the federal government or selectively withhold spending approved by Congress.
A Center for American Progress Action Fund memo circulated among Democratic lawmakers Thursday urged them to reject the bill, arguing that allowing the GOP to dictate spending for six months would “sap momentum that is building against Republicans.”
The Political Calculus: Shutdown Blame Game
While Schumer and some Democrats argue that avoiding a shutdown is paramount, others believe that Republicans will take the brunt of the blame if funding expires.
A Quinnipiac national poll found that 53% of registered voters would blame Trump and Republicans in Congress for a shutdown, while 32% would blame Democrats.
“Jiminy Christmas! Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House,” said Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), expressing frustration over GOP claims that Democrats would be responsible for a shutdown.
Republicans, however, insist that passing the House bill is the only viable option. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) dismissed Democratic objections, stating, “Democrats need to decide if they’re going to support funding legislation that came over from the House or if they’re going to shut down the government.”
What Comes Next?
Schumer’s support makes it highly likely that the Senate will advance the bill on Friday, sending it to Trump’s desk for final approval before the midnight deadline. However, it remains unclear whether Democrats will push for amendments, such as reducing the funding period from six months to 30 days.
As negotiations continue, the debate underscores a deepening rift within the Democratic Party over whether to compromise to keep the government open—or take a stand against Republican spending priorities.
