Senator Chuck Schumer

March 13, 2025 Senator Chuck Schumer stated that he would vote to advance Republicans’ six-month funding bill that passed the House to avert a government shutdown Friday night. This is seen as a betrayal towards Democrats. Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated, “I think there is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal.” She told reporters in Leesburg, Virginia, where House Democrats are huddling for their annual policy retreat. She said she and her fellow Democrats are “texting, calling, sending carrier pigeons,” to mobilize the Democratic base against Schumer’s plan to allow the GOP funding bill to advance.

Senate Washington/Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’ll vote to keep the government open as the chamber prepares to take up a GOP stopgap bill continuing government funding Friday. “I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country, to minimize the harms to the American people,” Schumer said. “Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open, and not shut it down.”

His support for the measure signaled that Democrats would let the measure pass to prevent a shutdown as the caucus, meetings held at district level, grappled Thursday with the uncomfortable choice.

In a lengthy speech from the Senate floor, the New York Democrat outlined his opposition to the House passed bill but went on to say that his bigger worry was about what failing to fund the government could bring. He warned that a government shutdown would give President Trump and his allies “the keys to the city, state, and country,” arguing that “while the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse.”

The Senate plans to take up the House passed bill to fund the government through September beginning on Friday. Republicans need 60 votes to invoke cloture and advance the measure, meaning it will need the support of Democrats to get to a vote on final passage. Speaking to reporters after his remarks, Schumer wouldn’t say whether enough Democrats would support advancing the measure, noting that “each is making his or her own decision.”

Resources

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/2024-republican-party-platform

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5194440-schumer-liberals-gop-government-funding-bill/

https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/government-shutdown-deadline-vote-democratic-party-b32137a7