Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer came to the floor on Friday morning to explain his surprise move in backing a Republican short-term funding bill, one that will more than likely avert a government shutdown as the midnight deadline approaches.
Schumer’s announcement, made Thursday night—after he and fellow Democrats threatened the day before to filibuster the bill—guarantees that sufficient Democratic votes will be recorded to push the legislation forward to a final Senate vote. The bill would head off a short-term shutdown, though Schumer conceded that the legislation itself is flawed.
As everyone is aware, government funding will expire at midnight. I will vote to continue the government open because I think it is the best way to reduce the damage that the current administration might cause the American people, and the world,” Schumer said.
A Tough Choice for Democrats
Schumer acknowledged that the CR is far from perfect but underscored that the alternative—letting there be a government shutdown—would have much more damaging effects on the country.
“This legislation is flawed, but a government shutdown would provide former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, as well as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with even greater unbridled authority to disassemble critical services at an even more rapid rate,” he cautioned.
Schumer detailed the possible consequences, noting that the shutdown would give DOGE the power to decide what federal workers and services are essential. This may result in huge job losses and the shutdown of vital government operations.
A shutdown would be a present to DOGE,” Schumer stated. “It would give Trump and Musk the opportunity to redefine government operations in a manner that would do long-term harm to vital services.
Schumer charged that Musk was actively advocating for a shutdown to pursue his objective of reducing the federal government’s role. “Musk has made it clear he wants a shutdown, knowing it will give him the leverage to push forward a radical agenda,” he asserted.
Democratic Division
Others of his party in the Senate have been firmly opposing the bill. Schumer recognized the complexity of the choice and explained that his party members have been between two bad options.
“Our members are being asked to make an impossible choice, and I respect that some will vote against this bill,” he said. “But let me be clear—no Senate Democrat votes for a shutdown of the government.”
Even with the split, Schumer underscored the fact that Democrats are united overall in their pursuit of opposing what he referred to as Trump’s “assault on democracy and working families.”
Trump’s Reaction and House Democrats’ Backlash
Former President Donald Trump applauded Schumer’s move, labeling it a bold and courageous one. On his social media platform, Trump congratulated the Senate Minority Leader, saying the move “took guts” and could lead to huge legislative breakthroughs.
At the same time, House Democrats wrote to Schumer on Friday in their “strong opposition” to the bill. They decried the GOP for excluding Democrats from the negotiation and requested a 30-day CR instead.
The Republican leadership has disregarded bipartisan cooperation, and we cannot give in to their demands that put seniors, veterans, and working families at risk,” the letter stated. “We call on Senate Democrats to oppose this bill and insist on a fair, responsible solution.”
Pelosi’s Stand Against the Bill
Past House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected Schumer’s action, criticizing Democrats backing the GOP bill. She threatened that legislating the measure would exacerbate a precarious enough circumstance.
“America already endured one Trump-constructed shutdown before, and now we’re compounding the issue,” Pelosi wrote. “We must resist playing this false dichotomy. We have to insist on a smarter path forward.
Even while criticizing the bill, Pelosi praised House Democrats for their almost unanimous opposition to it, thanking House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for his forceful leadership in opposing what she described as a dangerous bill.
With the Senate facing its final vote, all eyes are still on the result and the effects of a long-term nature on the government and United States citizens.
