Democratic senators are expressing that, aside from defeating the current proposal, they don’t see another way to convey their discontent to President Trump unless Republicans abandon their plans for a straightforward, seven-week continuing resolution.
This approach could nearly ensure government shutdowns, something Democrats, who managed to avert earlier this year, are now finding increasingly unavoidable as fall approaches.
A senator, who asked to remain anonymous, noted that the impending shutdown was a significant topic during a recent caucus meeting.
They mentioned that Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who faced backlash from more progressive members after supporting a GOP funding bill earlier this year, hasn’t presented an alternate strategy to avert a shutdown by the September 30 deadline.
“Trump gave us a middle finger. There’s just no other option,” the senator remarked, requesting anonymity to discuss caucus strategy.
Another senator indicated that even a brief shutdown could yield a political win for Democrats, even if it doesn’t compel Republicans to make concrete policy changes. This senator believed it would send a clear signal that the White House won’t easily dictate Congressional actions.
“Without compromise, I think a shutdown is likely,” they suggested.
This senator also stated they wouldn’t support government funding until after November 21.
“I really dislike the idea of a shutdown. I just feel there are no options. I can’t accept the direction they’re pushing,” they explained. “We must use every tool at our disposal, which is one of the few we truly have.”
They added, “If Trump goes to martial law, then let’s see how transparent he really is and what his true intentions are.”
With time running short, Congress is close to recessing for Rosh Hashanah, returning to Capitol Hill on September 29.
Democratic senators familiar with their discussions estimate that they might have six Democratic votes ready for the continuing resolution expected to come to the Senate shortly.
To help Republicans reach the necessary 60 votes to advance the measure, the party will need at least eight votes. However, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has already voiced his opposition to the funding proposal, citing concerns about spending under the Biden administration.
While Senate Democratic leaders haven’t made a formal count yet, they suspect that lawmakers like John Fetterman (Pa.), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Maggie Hassan (NH), Katherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Jackie Rosen (Nev.), Angus King (Maine), and others may likely align with them.
Fetterman has consistently stated he will not support a government shutdown, expressing skepticism about the viability of avoiding one given the circumstances as the deadline looms.
“It’s never a good idea to shut down,” he said. “And I’m worried that my colleagues may be cornering themselves ahead of September 30, which makes shutdowns seem inevitable.”
Senate Democrats have pushed for restoring expired health insurance subsidies and reversing cuts to Medicaid funding through significant legislation, while also proposing alternative funding options to prevent the Trump administration from misappropriating funds.
However, Republicans have dismissed these proposals as non-starters.
Democratic senators indicate there’s been a noticeable shift in strategy since March when Schumer and several others backed a GOP-driven resolution aimed at avoiding a shutdown.
This support led to considerable pushback from the Democratic base, raising immediate doubts about Schumer’s leadership moving forward.
Half a year ago, he didn’t lay groundwork for a continuous resolution while it was advancing in the House, and there were questions about Democratic support in the Senate.
According to a senator, it was evident that Schumer wasn’t inclined to push for a shutdown back in March.
Sources who were aware of March discussions among Senate Democrats noted that there was no clear action plan regarding the resolution should it pass through the House and if Mike Johnson (R-La.) couldn’t garner enough votes.
Now, Schumer has signaled to Republicans that any attempts to bypass the Senate will not succeed, albeit without revealing an alternative plan.
“When Trump told Republicans not to engage with us on Fox News, it showed that he’s welcoming a shutdown,” Schumer reflected after meeting with his Democratic colleagues.
In a joint statement with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Schumer criticized the short-term funding plan put forth by House Republicans, stating it fails to meet American needs and does nothing to prevent a looming healthcare crisis.
Despite their aversion to a government shutdown, Democrats find it increasingly difficult to accept the House GOP funding proposal after persistent refusals to negotiate.
“We have an array of viewpoints within the caucus, but as professionals, we know that if we want to vote, we need to have a reason to do so—something they are not providing,” one senator remarked.
Schatz, who had previously voted for GOP proposals, warned he’d oppose any ongoing resolution introduced by House Republicans this time around.
