Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has warned that Democrats may allow a government shutdown at the end of the month if Republicans do not meet key demands on health care and federal spending. The announcement marks a sharp shift for Schumer, who earlier this year sided with Republicans to keep the government open, a move that drew intense criticism from his own party.
In an interview on Thursday, Schumer said the situation now differs from the one he faced in March. “Things have changed,” he said, citing Republican passage of President Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts, which included reductions to Medicaid and other social programs. Democrats are now unified in their opposition, he said, in contrast to the spring when his vote angered many in the party.
Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries are insisting that any government funding bill include critical health care protections and a guarantee that these provisions will not be rolled back. According to Schumer, Democrats are prepared to risk a shutdown rather than compromise on these priorities.
He also noted that tensions with the White House would not necessarily worsen if a shutdown occurred, describing relations with President Trump as already “hostile.” “It will get worse with or without it, because Trump is lawless,” Schumer said.
Meanwhile, Republicans are reportedly considering a short-term stopgap measure to keep the government funded beyond Sept. 30. Schumer, however, emphasized that Democrats will not support such a plan unless it includes health care protections and maintains current foreign aid funding.
