Schumer has been a consistent liberal for decades. But now he jumped ship.
And he has shocked Democrats by teaming up with Donald Trump.
Schumer Shifts Gears on GOP Funding Bill
In a surprising turn of events, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) announced Thursday evening that he’ll throw his support behind a Republican-led spending bill to keep the federal government humming past Friday’s shutdown deadline. It’s a sharp pivot from his earlier resistance, signaling a pragmatic move to keep the wheels of government turning.
Speaking from the Senate floor, Schumer laid out his reasoning: “I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country, to minimize the harms to the American people. Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down.” His decision follows the House’s passage of the continuing resolution just two days prior, a bill now needing 60 Senate votes to clear its next hurdle.
A Change of Heart Amid Political Realities
Schumer had initially balked at the six-month stopgap, slamming it as a “partisan path” on Wednesday and pushing instead for a leaner 30-day extension. But after a Thursday lunch with Senate Democrats, he flipped the script, pledging to advance the House-passed measure via a cloture motion.
With Republicans holding 53 seats—and Senator Rand Paul (R., Ky.) opting out—they’re counting on at least eight Democratic votes. Schumer joins Senator John Fetterman (D., Pa.) as the second confirmed “yes” from his party.
Fetterman, for his part, had already signaled his reluctant support earlier Thursday. “The only time we had any leverage . . . [was if] the Republican needed our votes in the House,” he said.
“The GOP delivered and that effectively iced us out and that forces us to say, ‘Are you gonna shut the government down? Or are you are gonna vote for a flawed CR?’ And now for me, I refuse to shut the government down.” Despite calling the bill “flawed,” he’s prioritizing stability over a standoff.
The Bill’s Nuts and Bolts
The House, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.), muscled the 99-page funding package through with a tight 217–213 vote. Only one Democrat, Representative Jared Golden (Maine), crossed party lines to join all but one Republican—Representative Thomas Massie (Ky.)—in backing it.
The bill pumps an extra $6 billion into defense while trimming non-defense spending by $13 billion, landing below last year’s totals. It also green-lights $485 million for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to speed up deportations, a Trump administration priority.
Notably absent? Extra cash for FEMA’s disaster response and funding for community projects, which didn’t make the cut. It’s a leaner package that reflects GOP priorities—security and fiscal restraint—while dodging the chaos of a shutdown.
Schumer’s Strategic Play
Schumer’s about-face isn’t just about keeping lights on in Washington. He framed it as a tactical retreat to avoid handing President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, a political win.
“We should not give it to them,” he warned, vowing Democrats would battle the Republican agenda tooth and nail. He argued a shutdown would only fuel Trump and Musk’s plans.
“This is the fight the American people need to see. This is the fight that Democrats will win,” Schumer declared. “A shutdown would be a costly distraction from this all-important fight.” His words cast the vote as a means to keep the bigger battle in focus, not a surrender.
Clock’s Ticking in the Senate
The stakes are high as the Senate races against a 12:01 a.m. Saturday deadline. If leaders can’t hammer out a deal to pass the bill, government funding dries up, and the fallout begins.
Schumer’s shift, alongside Fetterman’s pragmatic stance, might just tip the scales to keep things running—proving that even in a divided Congress, the gears can still grind forward when push comes to shove.
