Schumer Says He’ll Vote for GOP Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown
New York TimesMAR 12
Schumer Backs GOP Funding Bill
Above: US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) leaves the Democratic caucus lunch at the US Capitol on March 13, 2025. Image copyright: Kayla Bartkowski/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
It's about time Democratic leadership accepted that voting in favor of this bill — which maintains fiscal discipline while funding essential government services — is better than causing a government shutdown. Any complaints Schumer has about a lack of bipartisanship are invalid because of the partisan way he ran the Senate when he was majority leader.
Democratic narrative
This was a nearly impossible decision to make, but if Democrats don't back this bill and allow the government to shut down they'll be playing right into Pres. Trump and Elon Musk's hands. Democrats need to be honest with constituents, who need to know Republicans might not reopen the government if there's a shutdown.
Progressive narrative
The Democrats' support for this disastrous GOP-backed bill is a tremendous mistake. Trump and Musk are already dismantling the federal government, and this will end any chance of checking their power. Schumer should use the filibuster the way Republicans did in prior Senate terms.