Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., held a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on Jan. 21, 2025. In a surprising move, ten Senate Democrats broke ranks with their party and joined Republicans in passing a six-month funding bill just hours before a government shutdown would occur. This decision highlighted the deep divisions within the Democratic ranks on how to deal with President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
Before the vote, Schumer, along with Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, were among the first Democrats to support the Republican funding bill, arguing that a shutdown would only benefit Trump. They were later joined by six more Democrats and an independent senator who caucuses with Democrats.
Cortez Masto expressed the difficulty of the decision, stating her outrage at the actions of Trump, Elon Musk, and the Republicans in Congress. Many Democrats saw the bill not just as a spending deal but as an opportunity to push back against what they viewed as executive overreach by the Trump Administration.
The Senate passed the spending measure by a vote of 62-38, with Schumer’s decision to support the bill causing controversy among House Democrats, who had opposed it. Prior to the vote, Senator Patty Murray of Washington raised concerns about the bill’s potential impact, including giving Trump more authority to reallocate funds and making cuts to programs.
The bill also faced opposition due to its treatment of Washington, D.C., which would have been required to make significant budget cuts. Schumer mentioned negotiating a funding fix for the city, but the bill still needed to pass the House, which was in recess at the time.
The consequences of aligning with Republicans in the recent vote are uncertain in terms of political implications. However, the decision did secure government funding through September, preventing furloughs for federal workers and disruptions to essential services. Despite this, there remains lingering discontent within the Democratic caucus, which may pose challenges for Senate leader Schumer, who has been at the helm of Senate Democrats since 2017. While no Senator has publicly called for his removal, there are murmurs of dissatisfaction, particularly among progressives who feel he has made too many concessions to the Republicans.
Nine Democrats and one independent played a crucial role in avoiding a government shutdown. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate Minority Leader, caused a stir when he announced his support for the Republican spending bill. Schumer justified his decision by highlighting the dire consequences of a shutdown, warning that it would empower the dismantling of federal agencies by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While Schumer portrayed his stance as a necessary measure to prevent Republican exploitation, many within his party viewed it as a capitulation. Speculation about Schumer’s leadership position within the Democratic Senate caucus has intensified following his vote and advocacy for the bill.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto from Nevada, a state won by Trump in the previous election, stressed the gravity of her decision to support the bill. She expressed concerns that a shutdown would further weaken federal institutions and harm the American people. As a moderate Democrat, Cortez Masto has often balanced party cohesion with the political landscape in Nevada. Her vote diverged from her Nevada counterpart, Senator Jack Rosen, who opposed the bill.
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat, had not disclosed his position on the Republican spending bill before eventually voting in favor of it. By aligning with Republicans and nine other Democrats, Durbin differed from his Illinois colleague Senator Tammy Duckworth, who adamantly opposed the bill. Durbin acknowledged his reservations about the bill but emphasized the necessity of its passage.
Sen. Richard Durbin, at 80 years old and a Senate member since 1997, expressed disappointment that Republicans would not cooperate with his party to pass a 30-day stopgap measure, allowing more time for a bipartisan agreement. Meanwhile, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), a vocal critic of his party’s messaging, supported the Republican spending bill to avoid giving Republicans control over reopening the government after a shutdown. Fetterman, elected for a six-year term in 2022, often diverges from Democratic norms to support working-class voters.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), chair of the Senate Democratic campaign arm, and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), a former governor, both backed the Republican bill. Hassan, once considered vulnerable, maintained her lead in the 2022 election in a competitive state. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, voted for the bill to prevent lasting harm from a shutdown. Although Maine leans right, King remains popular, serving since 2013.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), from a state won by Trump in 2024, emphasized the importance of passing the Republican bill to maintain government operations. Peters stressed Congress’s duty to prevent a shutdown in his statement.
The Trump Administration’s government shutdowns and repeated law-breaking have raised concerns about their continued actions. Michigan’s Democratic senators are facing a challenging decision, as Senator Elissa Slotkin voted against a recent bill, showcasing the delicate balance between party loyalty and the needs of a divided electorate in battleground states. Senator Peters announced earlier this year that he will not seek re-election in 2026.
Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii described his vote on a recent bill as a difficult choice, ultimately deciding that a flawed bill was better than none at all. Despite understanding people’s frustrations, he emphasized the need to prevent a shutdown, which would have severe consequences for everyone. Schatz encouraged unity among Democrats, acknowledging disagreements on strategy and tactics.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, who also announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, expressed concerns about a government shutdown hurting her constituents and empowering President Trump and Elon Musk. She called for Congress to avoid relying on temporary funding measures like the one recently passed, warning that such actions would only increase instability in government operations. Contact Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com for more information.
