Schumer, Senate Democrats say they’ll reject GOP government spending bill

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., made it clear on Wednesday that his party would not support the spending bill that Republicans had drafted and passed through the House. With the Friday midnight deadline looming for Congress to take action to avoid a government shutdown, Schumer emphasized the need for bipartisan efforts in funding the government.

In a statement, Schumer criticized Republicans for drafting the Continuing Resolution without any input from Congressional Democrats. He stated that the GOP does not have the votes in the Senate to pass the House CR, and called for a clean 30-day CR to keep the government open and allow time for bipartisan negotiations.

Schumer proposed a one-month spending bill to keep the government operational until April 11, allowing Democrats to negotiate a more favorable deal. The current continuing resolution passed by the House would fund the government for the remaining six months of the fiscal year, until September 30.

Following a lunch meeting with Democratic senators, concerns were raised about the potential consequences of a government shutdown, despite the party’s opposition to the CR. Senators Tim Kaine and Raphael Warnock expressed reservations about the bill and emphasized the need for amendments to be considered.

Senator Mark Kelly remained undecided on his stance regarding the bill, acknowledging the potential negative precedent that supporting the six-month stopgap could set. On the other hand, Senator John Fetterman expressed support for the CR to avoid a government shutdown, while Senator Tina Smith emphasized the importance of unity in preventing a shutdown.

President Donald Trump supports the six-month continuing resolution to prioritize his agenda on border security and taxes during the early stages of his second term. The bill, which increases military spending while cutting non-defense domestic programs, requires 60 votes to avoid a filibuster in the Senate.

Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, and Senator Rand Paul has indicated his opposition to the CR. As a result, GOP leaders need at least eight Democrats to support the bill to prevent a filibuster. Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled openness to discussing potential amendments with Democrats.

Senator Ben Ray Lujan criticized Republicans for excluding Democrats from the negotiation process, despite being in control of the Senate, House, and White House. While Schumer has vocally opposed the CR, sources suggest that enough centrist Democrats may join Republicans in supporting the bill.

In conclusion, the debate over the spending bill continues as the deadline approaches. Democrats are pushing for a shorter-term solution to allow for more negotiations, while Republicans aim to pass the current CR to advance their agenda. The fate of the government funding bill remains uncertain as both parties navigate the complexities of the legislative process.