By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democratic chief Chuck Schumer relented Thursday quite than danger a authorities shutdown, asserting he’s prepared to begin 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 advised Democrats privately throughout a spirited closed-door lunch after which made public remarks forward of voting Friday, which will probably be hours earlier than the midnight deadline to maintain authorities working. The New York senator mentioned as unhealthy because the GOP invoice is, a shutdown could 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 mentioned. “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 package deal, 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 will to cease the Trump administration’s Division of Authorities Effectivity, which is taking a wrecking ball to long-established authorities companies and purging hundreds of federal employees 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 in its place. However Schumer mentioned Republicans rejected that provide. And whereas Democrats have been break up over technique, they anxious concerning the additional chaos they are saying Trump and Musk may trigger if authorities was shutdown.
Schumer advised Democrats at a spirited closed-door lunch that he could 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 sturdy views on each side,” mentioned Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who’s against the package deal.
Because the Senate opened Thursday, with someday to go earlier than Friday’s midnight deadline, Republican Senate Majority Chief John Thune mentioned, “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 move 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 ultimate motion.
Choices for Schumer have been restricted, and ultimate passage earlier than the deadline will not be assured.
Republicans maintain a 53-47 majority and would wish Democrats to assist the package deal 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,” mentioned Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.
Over the following 24 hours, Democrats face this alternative: Present the votes wanted to advance the package deal, 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 mentioned 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, mentioned 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 package deal additionally required the District of Columbia, which already authorized 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 mentioned 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,” mentioned 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 Printed: March 13, 2025 at 10:05 PM EDT
