Washington, DC – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, announced his decision to support a six-month spending bill aimed at keeping the government open. Schumer stated that a government shutdown under the leadership of Donald Trump would be a worse scenario than passing the CR. He cautioned against Republicans using a shutdown to select their preferred departments and agencies to reopen.
Schumer’s announcement created an opening for undecided Democratic members to vote in favor of the spending bill. The Senate Democrats, facing a critical decision on whether to proceed with the House-passed funding bill, held discussions behind closed doors. The Democratic base is calling for resistance against Trump and Elon Musk’s budget cuts and are urging lawmakers to block the bill crafted without Democratic input.
Prior to Schumer’s statement, Democrats were divided on the best course of action, with Senators Mark Warner of Virginia and John Hickenlooper of Colorado voicing opposition to the GOP-backed proposal. The choice faced by Democrats has been described as a “pick-your-poison” situation, with no clear resolution. While supporting the CR would prevent a shutdown, blocking the bill could lead to other uncertainties, such as leaving the Trump administration to decide on essential workers and selectively funding government departments.
Senate Republicans, who hold a majority, are seeking Democratic support to pass the spending bill and avoid a shutdown. Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky previously announced his intent to vote against the plan unless cuts led by Musk are included. Schumer’s stance garnered support from at least one Senate Democrat, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who emphasized the importance of avoiding chaos. Democrats are weighing the potential political implications of their decision as they aim to gain control over Congress in 2026.