Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is signaling a tougher stance in the latest government funding battle, warning that Democrats are prepared to block a stopgap measure unless Republicans roll back some of their most controversial policies.
Back in March, Schumer voted to keep the government open and convinced enough Democrats to do the same, a decision that sparked backlash from the left. This time, however, he says circumstances are different. President Donald Trump and GOP leaders need at least seven Senate Democrats to break a filibuster and avoid a shutdown after September 30.
Republicans have put forward a clean funding extension through November 21, including $30 million to boost lawmaker security. But Schumer and his colleagues argue that Trump’s Medicaid cuts, efforts to weaken Congress’ spending authority, and the looming expiration of Obamacare subsidies for 22 million Americans demand a firmer Democratic response.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is set to advance the measure, but with some conservatives opposed, he may need Democratic support. Even if it passes the House, Schumer has signaled he is ready to filibuster. Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that could trigger a full government shutdown.
Democrats insist they are more united than during the spring fight, with Schumer emphasizing that Republicans are now in a weaker position due to public discontent over Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill. GOP leaders, meanwhile, accuse Democrats of political theater, arguing that the bill funds the government at levels they have already backed.
Unless both sides find common ground, Congress faces its first total government shutdown in six years, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay and putting essential services at risk.
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