Caves on Shutdown as Democrats Scramble Behind Closed Doors [WATCH]

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced on Thursday that he will vote in favor of keeping the federal government open, arguing that a shutdown would have serious consequences for Americans and would ultimately strengthen President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.

“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,” Schumer stated while speaking on the Senate floor.

Although Schumer expressed concerns about the House-passed stopgap spending bill, he made it clear that allowing a shutdown to occur would be the worse option.

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“I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option,” he said.

BREAKING: Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has CAVED, announcing he will now back the continuing resolution passed by the House. pic.twitter.com/P7zlOzJwjf

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 13, 2025

A vote to end debate on the short-term spending measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), is expected to take place after 1:15 p.m. on Friday.

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However, there is no scheduled time for a final confirmation vote, and it remains unclear whether the bill will receive enough Democratic support to move forward.

Schumer, speaking to reporters Thursday night, explained his reasoning for supporting the measure.

“We want the attention of the American people, not focused on different bills that they would bring to the floor during the shutdown. We’d rather focus on our message, which is beginning to work.”

He emphasized that the Democrats’ core message is that “they’re hurting the middle class to give tax breaks for the billionaires.”

When asked what had changed between Wednesday and Thursday to prompt his decision, Schumer pointed to shifting vote counts.

“As of yesterday there were not enough votes to pass it,” he said.

“I thought I would let people know that. But there were a bunch of undecided votes. And as members study it and look at it, each is making his or her own decision.”

Schumer’s remarks followed several tense Democratic caucus meetings, including one on Thursday where shouting could reportedly be heard through a closed door.

Members of the press identified the voice as belonging to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., though her office did not confirm this.

Just one day earlier, Schumer had stated that his caucus was “unified” and preferred an alternative CR lasting one month instead of the House-passed version.

However, divisions within the Democratic Party became apparent as the debate continued.

The House’s continuing resolution, which passed on Tuesday with a narrow vote of 217-213, would fund the government for the next six months, until the end of the fiscal year on September 30.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who has vocally opposed a government shutdown, reacted with sarcasm when asked about the situation.

“I’ve seen the videos that they’re going to shut it down,” he said.

“I’m like, that’s spicy. Spicy, I don’t know. I don’t know if they’ll do it or not.”

Some Senate Democrats had already signaled opposition to the House’s stopgap bill, including Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who described the situation as offering “no good choices.”

If Congress fails to pass a spending bill before 11:59 p.m. on Friday, the government will enter a shutdown.

Fetterman warned that such a move would be politically advantageous for Republicans.

“In fact, if anything, I think they’re effectively daring us to do that,” he said.

For years, congressional Democrats have accused Republicans of being more willing to let a shutdown occur, with some GOP lawmakers even arguing that such measures are necessary at times.

Meanwhile, Democrats have historically pushed to avoid shutdowns, making this debate a critical test of their stance on government funding.

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