Democrats in Chaos as Schumer Backs GOP Budget Deal

14 Mar at 6:17 pm

2365 posts

Democrats in Chaos as Schumer Backs GOP Budget Deal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Senate Democrats are in turmoil after Chuck Schumer supported a Republican spending bill, preventing a government shutdown but sparking progressive outrage. While Schumer argued that blocking the bill would hand Trump more power, House and Senate Democrats accused him of caving to GOP demands. Progressive groups threaten political consequences, warning that Schumer and other Democrats who backed the bill could face primary challenges in 2028.

Quick Looks

Senate Democrats divided as Schumer backs Republican spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.
Progressives accuse Schumer of caving to Trump and demand stronger resistance to GOP budget cuts.
10 Senate Democrats joined Republicans, allowing the bill to advance toward final passage.
House Democratic leaders condemned the move, calling it a “capitulation” to Trump and Musk’s agenda.
Trump praised Schumer’s decision, despite previously blaming Democrats for a potential shutdown.
Spending bill includes $13 billion in domestic cuts and a $6 billion increase in defense funding.
Washington, D.C. faces a $1.1 billion budget rollback, forcing major local spending cuts.
Progressive groups warn of primary challenges, with 80% of activists supporting challenges to Senate Democrats who voted for the bill.
MoveOn and Indivisible mobilizing protests, vowing political consequences for Democrats seen as weak on GOP resistance.
Sen. Raphael Warnock suggests Democratic leadership changes could come by 2028.
Schumer argues blocking the bill would empower Trump, allowing him to seize even more control over federal operations.
Republicans remain unified, forcing Democrats into a tough choice between accepting GOP terms or shutting down the government.
Final Senate vote on the bill expected soon, with progressives continuing their fight for a different approach.

Deep Look

A wave of frustration and anger tore through the Democratic Party on Friday, as progressives accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of surrendering to Republican budget priorities instead of fighting to protect social programs and government services.

At the heart of the dispute was Schumer’s decision to back a Republican spending bill, which provides government funding through September while allowing Trump broad discretion over federal spending cuts. Many Democrats believed a government shutdown would have forced Republicans to negotiate, but Schumer ultimately rejected that approach, arguing that a shutdown would only expand Trump’s power.

“A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive,” Schumer warned, referring to the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.

For progressives, however, the bill represents a dangerous concession. Protesters gathered outside Schumer’s office, and leading progressive organizations threatened primary challenges against him and other Senate Democrats who supported the measure.

Schumer’s Stand Sparks Democratic Backlash

Schumer’s decision to support the spending bill outraged many in his party, including House Democratic leaders who had previously voted against the measure and urged Senate Democrats to do the same.

At the House Democratic retreat in Leesburg, Virginia, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered a rare rebuke of Schumer’s strategy.

“Let’s be clear: neither is a good option for the American people. But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable.”

Pelosi and other House Democrats pushed for a 30-day stopgap plan instead of the Republican-backed measure, which cuts $13 billion from non-defense spending while increasing defense funding by $6 billion.

“We do not want to shut down the government. But we are not afraid of a government funding showdown,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who notably refused to say whether he still had confidence in Schumer’s leadership.

Other prominent Democrats echoed the call for a stronger fight. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a rising star in the party and a potential 2028 presidential contender, urged Democrats to embrace “collective courage” in confronting Trump’s policies.

“When those individuals marched in Selma, there wasn’t just one voice,” Beshear said, referring to the 1960s civil rights movement. “There was a collective courage that changed the world.”

Progressive Activists Push for Primary Challenges

While Schumer’s decision may have prevented an immediate government shutdown, it has triggered a fierce backlash from progressive groups, who are warning of political consequences for the Democrats who backed the bill.

Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, an organization that has led hundreds of protests nationwide, stated that nearly 80% of their activists support primary challenges against Senate Democrats who “caved on the GOP bill.”

MoveOn, a progressive organization with nearly 10 million members, also vowed to hold Democrats accountable.

“Clearing the way for Donald Trump and Elon Musk to gut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is unacceptable,” said Joel Payne, a spokesperson for MoveOn. “It’s past time for Democrats to fight and stop acting like it’s business as usual.”

Even within Democratic leadership, some figures hinted at the need for new leaders.

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) suggested that the party could see major leadership changes by 2028.

“I think come ’26, ’28, we’ll get some new leadership,” Warnock said—though his office later clarified that he was speaking generally, not specifically about Schumer.

Republicans United as Democrats Struggle

While Democrats were divided, Republicans remained united, using their leverage to force the Senate into a difficult decision.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) dismissed the Democratic infighting, saying that the only options were passing the House-approved bill or shutting down the government.

“Democrats need to decide if they’re going to support funding legislation that came over from the House, or if they’re going to shut down the government,” Thune said.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) took a harsher tone, accusing Democrats of hypocrisy.

“Democrats are fighting to withhold the paychecks of air traffic controllers, our troops, and federal custodial staff,” Cotton said. “They can’t be serious.”

What’s in the Spending Bill?

The $1.7 trillion package passed by the Republican-controlled House includes:

$13 billion in cuts to non-defense spending.
$6 billion increase in defense funding.
$20 billion in IRS funding cuts, adding to previous cuts passed under Biden.
A $1.1 billion rollback for Washington, D.C.’s budget, forcing the city to revert to last year’s funding levels.

The bill also eliminates many spending directives, giving Trump broad discretion over funding priorities. Progressive Democrats fear this will allow the administration to redirect funds from public health initiatives to border security and mass deportation efforts.

Schumer’s Risky Political Gamble

Despite the deep divisions, Schumer defended his decision, arguing that a government shutdown would only embolden Trump by giving his administration even more power over government operations.

By passing the spending bill, Schumer believes Democrats have preserved some control—but it has come at the cost of alienating a major faction of his own party.

“The fight going on in the Democratic Party right now is not between hard left, left, and moderate. It’s between those who want to fight and those who want to cave,” wrote Anne Caprara, chief of staff for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “Misread this at your own peril.”

What Happens Next?

With the spending bill now set for a final Senate vote, Democrats must decide whether they will unify behind Schumer’s decision or continue their internal revolt.

Meanwhile, progressive activists are preparing for a fight, planning town halls, protests, and primary challenges against Democrats they see as too willing to compromise with Trump.

“Now is the moment for Democrats to draw a line in the sand,” said Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX). “We stand firmly with working-class people and against the ultra-rich corrupting our government.”

As the dust settles, the divide within the Democratic Party is clear:

Moderates fear a shutdown would only strengthen Trump.
Progressives believe Democrats must take a stand, even if it means short-term pain.

One thing is certain—the Democratic Party is facing one of its biggest internal fights in years, and the fallout from this spending battle may shape the party’s future for elections to come.