Minority Chief Chuck Schumer took to the Senate ground Friday morning to defend his resolution to assist a Republican short-term funding invoice that can successfully assist keep away from a authorities shutdown on the finish of the day.
His shock reversal, first introduced Thursday night — a day after he stated he and Democrats would attempt to block the invoice — means there’ll virtually actually be sufficient Democratic votes to advance the measure to a last Senate vote Friday simply hours earlier than the shutdown deadline.
“As everybody is aware of, authorities funding expires at midnight tonight. As I introduced yesterday, I’ll vote to maintain the federal government open. I imagine it’s one of the best ways to attenuate the hurt that the Trump administration will do to the American folks,” Schumer stated Friday.
He stated he believes the short-term funding invoice — or persevering with decision — is a “dangerous invoice” however stated he believes if the federal government had been to close down, it will be a far worse final result for the nation.
“The CR is a nasty invoice. However as dangerous because the CR is, I imagine permitting Donald Trump to take even way more energy through a authorities shutdown is a far worse choice,” Schumer stated.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer speaks with reporters as Republicans work to go an interim spending invoice that will keep away from a partial authorities shutdown and hold federal businesses funded via September, on the Capitol in Washington, March 11, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Schumer stated he believes a authorities shutdown would imply President Donald Trump and Elon Musk and his Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) would have much more authority to “destroy very important authorities companies at a a lot sooner price.”
He stated they might even have the ability to find out which federal workers are thought of important — doubtlessly giving them extra energy to put off or fireplace extra authorities staff and shutter federal businesses.
“A shutdown would enable DOGE to shift into overdrive. Let me repeat, a shutdown will enable DOGE to shift into overdrive. It could give Donald Trump and DOGE the keys to town, state and nation,” he stated. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk could be free to destroy very important authorities companies at a a lot sooner price than they will proper now and over a much wider subject of destruction that they might render.”
He continued, “In a shutdown, Donald Trump and DOGE could have the ability to find out what is taken into account important and what’s not and their views on what shouldn’t be important could be imply and harsh and would decimate very important companies and trigger unimaginable hurt to the American folks.”
“Musk has instructed everyone he needs a shutdown as a result of he is aware of it should assist him obtain his horrible objective of simply decimating the federal authorities from one finish to the opposite. In different phrases, if authorities had been to close down, DOGE has a plan in place to take advantage of the disaster for optimum destruction,” Schumer stated.
“A shutdown could be the perfect distraction Donald Trump may ask for,” he added.
Schumer additionally defended some his Senate Democratic colleagues who’ve come out against the short-term funding invoice. He acknowledged the robust selections they as a caucus have needed to weigh.
“Our caucus members have been torn between two terrible options, and my colleagues and I’ve wrestled with which various could be worse for the American folks,” Schumer stated.
He added that simply because a few of his colleagues will vote no on advancing the short-term funding invoice, it doesn’t imply they assist a authorities shutdown.
“Completely different senators come down on totally different sides of this query. However that doesn’t imply that any Senate Democrat helps a shutdown. Regardless of the final result, our caucus might be united in our willpower to proceed the long-term combat to cease Donald Trump’s harmful warfare on our democracy and on America’s working households,” he stated.
President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he meets with NATO Secretary Common Mark Rutte within the Oval Workplace of the White Home in Washington, Mar. 13, 2025.
Pool through AP
In regards to the time Schumer was talking, Trump praised him in a publish on his social media platform, saying it took “guts” for the New York senator to sign his assist for the GOP invoice.
“Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the proper factor — Took “guts” and braveness! The massive Tax Cuts, L.A. fireplace repair, Debt Ceiling Invoice, and a lot extra, is coming,” Trump posted on Reality Social.
“We must always all work collectively on that very harmful state of affairs. A non go could be a Nation destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights. Once more, actually good and good transfer by Senator Schumer. This might result in one thing large for the USA, an entire new route and starting,” Trump wrote.
On Friday, House Democrats sent a letter to Schumer saying their “sturdy opposition” to the funding invoice.
“The Republican management has intentionally lower Democrats out of the method, and we should not give in to Republican hostage-taking of our weak seniors, veterans, and working-class households to advance their harmful funding invoice,” the Home Democratic Caucus’ letter stated.
The letter recommends a 30-day CR as a short-term answer.
“We urge you to reject the partisan persevering with decision coming earlier than the Senate and stand with the American folks in opposing these draconian Republican cuts,” the letter stated. “All events should come again to the negotiating desk and work throughout social gathering traces to maintain the federal government open in a accountable means.”
“If Republicans in Congress need to go this invoice, they need to achieve this with their very own votes,” the letter stated. “Nonetheless, since they can not, Republicans should work with Democrats to go a clear 30-day persevering with decision and proceed negotiating full FY25 appropriations.”
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seemed to be distancing herself from Schumer’s resolution, slammed Democrats who assist the Home GOP invoice.
“America has skilled a Trump shutdown earlier than — however this damaging laws solely makes issues worse. Democrats should not purchase into this false alternative. We should combat again for a greater means. Hearken to the ladies, For The Folks,” she stated in a press release Friday.
On the similar time, Pelosi applauded Home Democrats for his or her close to unanimous vote in opposition to the measure.
“I salute Chief Hakeem Jeffries for his brave rejection of this false alternative, and I’m happy with my colleagues within the Home Democratic Caucus for his or her overwhelming vote in opposition to this invoice,” she stated.
ABC Information’ Isabella Murray contributed to this report.
