By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democratic chief Chuck Schumer relented Thursday moderately than danger a authorities shutdown, saying he’s prepared to start out the method of contemplating a Republican-led authorities funding invoice that has fiercely divided Democrats underneath strain to impose limits on the Trump administration.
Schumer informed Democrats privately throughout a spirited closed-door lunch after which made public remarks forward of voting Friday, which might be hours earlier than the midnight deadline to maintain authorities working. The New York senator stated as dangerous because the GOP invoice is, a shutdown can be worse, giving President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk “carte blanche” as they tear via the federal government.
“Trump has taken a blowtorch to our country and wielded chaos like a weapon,” Schumer stated. “For Donald Trump, a shutdown would be a gift. It would be the best distraction he could ask for from his awful agenda.”
The transfer by Schumer brings a possible decision to what has been a dayslong standoff. Senate Democrats have mounted a last-ditch protest over the bundle, which already handed the Home however with out slapping any limits they have been demanding on Trump and billionaire Musk’s efforts to intestine federal operations.
The Democrats are underneath intense strain to do no matter they’ll to cease the Trump administration’s Division of Authorities Effectivity, which is taking a wrecking ball to long-established authorities businesses and purging 1000’s of federal staff from jobs.
Trump himself provided to wade in Thursday to barter: “If they need me, I’m there 100%.”
However the president additionally started casting blame on Democrats for any potential disruptions, saying throughout an Oval Workplace assembly, “If it shuts down, it’s not the Republicans’ fault.”
Democrats are pushing a stopgap 30-day funding invoice as a substitute. However Schumer stated Republicans rejected that provide. And whereas Democrats have been cut up over technique, they fearful in regards to the additional chaos they are saying Trump and Musk may trigger if authorities was shutdown.
Schumer informed Democrats at a spirited closed-door lunch that he can be voting to proceed to the invoice. His feedback first reported by The New York Instances, have been confirmed by two individuals aware of the matter and granted anonymity to debate it.
”Individuals have robust views on each side,” stated Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who’s against the bundle.
Because the Senate opened Thursday, with someday to go earlier than Friday’s midnight deadline, Republican Senate Majority Chief John Thune stated, “It’s time for Democrats to fish or cut bait.”
Debates over funding the federal authorities routinely erupt in deadline moments, however this yr it’s displaying the political leverage of Republicans, newly in majority management of the White Home and Congress, and the shortcomings of Democrats, who’re discovering themselves unable to cease the Trump administration’s march throughout federal operations.
In a uncommon flip of occasions, Home Republicans caught collectively to cross their invoice, with many conservatives cheering the DOGE cuts leaving Democrats sidelined as they stood opposed. The Home then left city, sending it to the Senate for closing motion.
Choices for Schumer have been restricted, and closing passage earlier than the deadline shouldn’t be assured.
Republicans maintain a 53-47 majority and would want Democrats to assist the bundle to succeed in the 60-vote threshold, which is required to beat a filibuster.
“I’m in the camp of like, don’t ever, ever shut the government down,” stated Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.
Over the following 24 hours, Democrats face this selection: Present the votes wanted to advance the bundle, which funds authorities operations via the tip of September, or danger a shutdown when cash expires midnight Friday.
“They’ll cave,” predicted Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn.
Cornyn stated the Democrats “have been railing against Elon Musk and the Trump administration over reductions in force of the federal employees, and now they basically want to put all of them out of work by shutting down the government.” He added, “I don’t know how you reconcile those two positions.”
However progressive Democrats, together with allies within the Home, are pushing Democrats to attract the road in opposition to Trump — even when it courts a federal shutdown.
Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, stated on social media that the Home GOP invoice will “supercharge Musk’s theft from working people to pay for billionaire tax cuts. Senate Democrats must stop it.”
In an extremely uncommon flip, the Home bundle additionally required the District of Columbia, which already accredited its personal balanced finances, to revert again to 2024 ranges, drawing outcry from the mayor and metropolis leaders. They warn of steep reductions to metropolis companies.
Schumer stated he would “work with them to fix it.”
Democratic senators are assessing subsequent steps as they put together for voting.
“Both choices that we are being offered are full of despair,” stated Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.
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Related Press author Darlene Superville, Aamer Madhani, Leah Askarinam and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
Initially Revealed: March 13, 2025 at 10:05 PM EDT
