Government Shutdown Looms as Democrats Refuse Support for House Bill, Urging for Last-Minute Negotiations

WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York announced today that Democrats are not willing to support a government funding bill passed by Republicans in the House, casting doubt on Congress’s ability to avoid a shutdown before Friday’s deadline.

Schumer criticized Republicans for drafting the continuing resolution without any input from congressional Democrats, leading to a lack of Democratic support in the Senate. He called for a one-month funding bill to allow for further negotiations on a bipartisan agreement.

The House narrowly approved a continuing resolution to fund the government through September, but Democrats are pushing for a shorter-term solution to allow for more time to work on a compromise. Without a new funding law signed by President Donald Trump, the government is set to shut down on Friday.

Meanwhile, Democratic senators expressed concerns about both outcomes – accepting the House bill they had no input on or facing a government shutdown. Some worry about the implications of supporting a bill written without Democratic involvement, while others are focused on finding a way to keep the government operational.

Republicans are pushing for the six-month funding measure passed in the House, but Democrats are seeking amendments and guardrails to ensure congressional oversight on funding decisions. The clock is ticking, with time running out for Congress to reach a consensus before the deadline.

Despite the pressure from the White House, Democrats remain unified in their stance against the House bill and are calling for a more collaborative approach to government funding. As the debate intensifies, the fate of the bill hangs in the balance as both parties weigh the potential consequences of their decisions.

With a shutdown looming, Senators are scrambling to find a solution that can garner enough support to pass before Friday. The division between Democrats and Republicans underscores the challenges of reaching a compromise on funding the government and highlights the ongoing disagreements over budget priorities.

As the Senate grapples with the looming deadline, the fate of the government funding bill remains uncertain. Both parties must navigate the political landscape carefully to avoid a shutdown and find a path forward that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders involved.