Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says he will vote to keep the government open, signaling a potential agreement between Democrats and Republicans to overcome the filibuster in the Senate and pass the GOP-backed six-month spending bill before Friday’s deadline. The bill was already approved in the House of Representatives and would fund the government through the end of September.
While criticizing the bill for its deep cuts to healthcare, education, and the environment, Schumer argued that a shutdown would give Trump even more power, as it would allow him to decide which departments to keep closed and which to reopen at his discretion once the shutdown is resolved. The Trump administration would have the authority to determine which federal employees are deemed essential. Additionally, Republicans could choose to selectively fund certain parts of the government while leaving others without funding.
“You have to make these decisions based on what is best for not only your party but your country,” Schumer told reporters. “I believe that my members understand that I came to that conclusion and respect it. And so I think that people realize it’s a tough choice, but realize I made the decision based on what I thought were the merits.”
When explicitly asked whether he had enough support from his party, Schumer responded that senators “are making their decisions at this moment.” Senate Democrats held a closed-door meeting ahead of the vote on the bill.
In any case, with Republicans lacking enough votes and needing at least eight Democrats to overcome the filibuster, the fate of the bill remains uncertain.
Two Senate Democrats up for reelection in 2026, Mark Warner (D-Va.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), have announced they will vote against the measure.
House Democrats have largely remained united in opposing the plan, with many taking to social media to urge their Senate colleagues to do the same.
The Democratic Party’s base is calling for strong opposition to Trump and the drastic federal workforce cuts rapidly imposed by Elon Musk, in addition to rejecting the funding bill.
