Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has declared that Senate Democrats will oppose the Republican-authored continuing resolution (CR) aimed at funding the government through September. This decision significantly heightens the risk of a partial federal government shutdown commencing Friday night.
The House-passed CR proposes maintaining current funding levels while allocating an additional $6 billion to defense and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) budgets. These increases are offset by $13 billion in cuts to non-defense discretionary spending. Democrats have criticized the bill for its partisan nature and for excluding their input during its drafting.
In the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, at least seven Democratic votes must reach the 60-vote threshold necessary to overcome a filibuster. However, with Senator Rand Paul opposing the bill, an additional Democratic vote needed. Schumer has advocated for a clean CR extending funding through mid-April to allow more time for bipartisan negotiations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has accused Democrats of engaging in political gamesmanship, emphasizing that the proposed CR is a reasonable solution to prevent a shutdown. Despite this, some Senate Democrats have expressed willingness to consider the House bill, reflecting internal party divisions on the best approach to avert a shutdown.
The looming shutdown would be the first since December 2018, potentially affecting non-essential services and leading to furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers. The situation underscores the ongoing partisan tensions in Washington and the challenges of reaching consensus on federal funding.
As the Friday deadline approaches, the impasse continues, with both parties facing pressure to find a resolution that averts a shutdown and addresses the nation’s funding needs.
