Schumer Folds, Will Not Force Shutdown

Senator Chuck Schumer took the Senate floor late Thursday to say that he would not filibuster the Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund the government through September 30th.

“While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse,” Schumer said. “Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down."

Schumer then posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“President Trump and Republicans (sic) Leaders would like nothing more than to pull us into the mud of a protracted government shutdown.

“For Donald Trump, a shutdown would be a gift.

“It would be the best distraction he could ask for from his awful agenda…

“Donald Trump is hoping for a shutdown, because it will distract from their true agenda: delivering massive tax cuts to the rich paid for on the backs on American families.

“He wants to gut Social Security, hollow-out Medicaid, and slap taxes on consumer goods through his reckless trade wars.”

Social media users were quick to respond, with a 2010 video of Schumer promoting cutting the waste fraud and abuse out of Medicare appearing. A clip of Nancy Pelosi saying much the same in 2010 while seated between Harry Reid and Joe Biden also appeared.

Schumer later spoke with reporters to explain his decision. 

“In effect, a shutdown gives Trump and his minions the keys to the city and the country. And I thought that had to be avoided. That is why I made my decision, Schumer said. “If we go into a shutdown… there’s no off-ramp. They could keep us in a shutdown for months and months and months. Anyone who thinks there’s an off-ramp knows it depends on the Republicans. And I don’t trust them at all.”

Schumer also said Trump wants to “use a shutdown to decimate the govt.” (sic)

Tensions have been high among Democrats because of this issue, with Fox’s Aishah Hasnie reporting that (NY Senator Kirsten) “Gillibrand is screaming so loud we can all hear it through the thick wood doors” during a meeting of Senate Democrats earlier Thursday. Andrew Desiderio of Punchbowl News added, “I just heard Gillibrand say ‘This will not be a normal shutdown.’”

As the Democrats were leaving the room, Fox’s Ryan Schmelz reported that:

“Gillibrand was asked when leaving if she's concerned Dems will get blamed if there's a government shutdown.

“A furious Ben Ray Lujan jumped in.

“"Republicans are in charge! What are you guys all asking these questions for?"

“He eventually left and said, "Jiminy Christmas."”

Democrats in the House released a statement about Schumer’s decision on the CR, distancing themselves from it without mentioning him by name:

“Instead of working with Democrats in a bipartisan way to prevent a government shutdown, House Republicans left town in order to jam their extreme partisan legislation down the throats of the American people. The far-right Republican funding bill will unleash havoc on everyday Americans, giving Donald Trump and Elon Musk even more power to continue dismantling the federal government.

“House Democrats are ready to vote for a four week continuing resolution that keeps the government open and returns all parties to the negotiating table. That is the best way forward.

“…House Democrats will not be complicit. We remain strongly opposed to the partisan spending bill under consideration in the Senate.”

Even with Schumer’s capitulation, a shutdown is still possible. Senate Republicans will require at least eight Democrats to vote with them to call cloture on any filibuster and pass the CR. If the CR is not passed and signed by 11:59 PM Friday, the government will face a shut down.

The cloture vote should occur sometime Friday afternoon.