Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has cautioned that shutting down the government would grant President Donald Trump and his senior adviser, Elon Musk, excessive authority to continue their workforce reductions unchecked.
“A shutdown would give Donald Trump and Elon Musk carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now,” Schumer warned. “Under a shutdown, the Trump administration would have full authority to deem whole agencies, programs, and personnel nonessential, furloughing staff with no promise they would ever be rehired.” He further emphasized, “In short: a shutdown would give Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE the keys to the city, state, and country.”
On Thursday, Schumer informed his Democratic colleagues during a closed-door lunch that he would support efforts to advance a House-GOP funding bill, according to sources who spoke with ABC News. This decision would enable Republicans to pass the bill with a simple majority.
Senate Democrats, however, remained reserved in their discussions, holding private meetings as the government funding deadline loomed.
“What happens in caucus, stays in caucus,” remarked Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin as she exited the weekly lunch.
When pressed for a response, Democratic Senator Cory Booker curtly replied, “Ask somebody else.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren also declined to comment, stating, “I don’t have any comment.”
Some Democrats, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that they likely lacked the votes necessary to block the Republican proposal aimed at keeping the government funded through September. Multiple sources confirmed this to ABC News.
Tensions were high during the closed-door discussions. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was reportedly so vocal about the repercussions of a government shutdown that her voice could be heard through the walls.
One Democratic senator, choosing to remain unnamed, told ABC News, “We lost this two weeks ago … we should’ve been beating this drum for a month.”
At that time, only Democratic Senator John Fetterman had publicly committed to voting in favor of keeping the government operational.
Fetterman made it clear that he would not be swayed by political maneuvering, maintaining his consistent stance against government shutdowns. He previously urged Republicans to keep the government running when Democrats held control of the Senate.
“Never, ever, ever, ever, ever shut the government down,” Fetterman stated firmly to reporters at the Capitol on Thursday afternoon. “Democrat, Republican, independents, anyone. Never shut the government down. That’s one of our core responsibilities.”
Acknowledging the mounting pressure within his party, Fetterman described the political climate as “spicy” but reiterated his commitment to his principles.
While recognizing that Republicans were challenging Democrats over the shutdown, Fetterman expressed concern about the consequences for furloughed workers and citizens relying on government services. He emphasized that those individuals would be the ones who suffer the most.
With Republicans successfully advancing their funding bill in the House, Fetterman indicated that he viewed the fight as essentially concluded.
Fetterman pointed out that Democrats only hold leverage when Republicans require their votes in the House.
“The GOP delivered, and that effectively iced this out,” he explained. “And that forces us to say, ‘Are you going to shut the government down, or are you going to vote for a flawed CR?’ And now for me, I refuse to shut the government down.”
Meanwhile, Schumer had announced on Wednesday that Senate Democrats would not provide the necessary votes for Republicans to push forward the House-approved measure funding the government through September. Instead, he proposed a temporary one-month funding extension to allow additional time for appropriators to negotiate and finalize long-term spending bills.
As the shutdown deadline approached, both Republicans and the White House shifted blame toward the Democrats.
“If it closes, it’s purely on the Democrats,” President Donald Trump asserted while addressing reporters during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Thursday.
When asked whether he would personally intervene in negotiations with Democrats, Trump responded that he would step in if Republicans requested his involvement. “If they need me, I’m there 100%,” he assured.