Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is facing fierce backlash from House Democrats after announcing his support for the Republican-led continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open. With a shutdown deadline approaching, Schumer’s decision has widened the divide between House and Senate Democrats.
Schumer, who had previously pushed for an alternative funding plan through April, said on the Senate floor Thursday that while the GOP’s bill is “not a clean CR” and fails to address major concerns, the alternative — a government shutdown — would be far worse.
The announcement sparked outrage among House Democrats, who had overwhelmingly voted against the bill. One lawmaker, speaking anonymously, described the reaction among members as a “complete and utter meltdown.” Several House Democrats are reportedly exploring the possibility of primary challenges against Senate Democrats who vote in favor of the measure.
During a retreat Thursday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) applauded his caucus for standing firm against the bill. When he mentioned Senate Democrats, members responded with loud boos, highlighting the growing frustration.
Schumer’s decision follows mounting pressure from within his party. Progressives have criticized him for caving to GOP demands, while his remarks on MSNBC only fueled tensions further. During the interview, Schumer referred to Republicans as “bastards” before immediately apologizing. He warned that a government shutdown would give Trump too much control over federal agencies, potentially allowing him to cut social services and eliminate government jobs.
President Donald Trump, however, praised Schumer’s move, calling it a courageous decision. Trump’s public endorsement of Schumer’s position has only heightened anger among House Democrats, who view the move as a betrayal of their fight against GOP budget priorities.
With the Senate vote scheduled for Friday, at least eight Democrats will need to join Republicans in supporting the measure. Meanwhile, some House members have begun reaching out to their Senate counterparts, urging them to vote against the bill and prevent what they see as a significant concession to Republican leadership.
