Dem divisions erupt over GOP’s anti-shutdown spending bill

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., made headlines on Thursday after being overheard screaming inside a private Democratic senators’ lunch on Capitol Hill. The outburst came amid heated debate over the looming government shutdown, with Democrats divided on how to proceed with the House-passed stopgap spending bill.

While Democratic lawmakers remained tight-lipped as they left the meeting, Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., hinted that more information would be coming soon. Gillibrand’s office declined to confirm whether she was the one heard screaming, adding to the mystery surrounding the incident.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Senate Democrats have been engaged in intense debates over the past few days, with some members leaning towards advancing the spending bill and others willing to risk a shutdown by voting against it. Senators Mark Warner, D-Va., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., publicly announced their opposition to the short-term CR, while Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., criticized his colleagues for considering a shutdown.

Fetterman warned that shutting down the government would only benefit Republicans and questioned the inconsistency of Democrats who previously opposed such actions. He emphasized the need to keep the government open, even if the CR was not ideal. Warner and Senator Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., expressed concerns about the spending bill but stopped short of committing to a vote, citing the lack of good options.

As tensions rose within the Democratic caucus, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for unity around a clean CR to avoid a shutdown and allow for bipartisan negotiations. However, divisions persisted, with some lawmakers pushing back against Schumer’s position.

With the clock ticking down to a potential shutdown, Democrats and Republicans are preparing for a standoff over the spending bill. The uncertainty surrounding the situation has led to speculation about the outcome and the potential impact on the country.

In the midst of the chaos, Senator Gillibrand’s outburst serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the ongoing debate. As lawmakers continue to grapple with the decision on how to proceed, the future of government funding hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.