Democrats face hard choice with shutdown deadline nearing

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Democrats find themselves in a precarious position as the government edges closer to a shutdown this Friday, with pressure mounting to accept responsibility for the potential crisis.

As Democratic leadership scrambles to prevent a shutdown without conceding to Republican demands, the situation grows increasingly tense.

The House, under Louisiana Republican Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership, successfully passed their 99-page continuing resolution on Tuesday with predominantly Republican support. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is pursuing the CR’s advancement, while Democrats continue their resistance.

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The Democratic party faces an unenviable choice between supporting a Trump-endorsed CR or bearing responsibility for a government shutdown.

“While Senate Republicans are working hard to prevent a government shutdown, it will ultimately be up to Senate Democrats to decide whether or not they turn out the lights on the federal government,” Thune said.

“The House has done its job and passed a clean CR to fund the federal government,” Johnson said. “If Senate Democrats block an up-or-down vote on this, then it’s crystal clear: THEY want to shut down the government. Period. Full stop.”

Getting the CR through the Senate requires clearing the 60-vote threshold for cloture. Despite Republicans holding 53 seats, Kentucky’s Republican Sen. Rand Paul’s declared opposition means at least eight Democrats must cross party lines to advance the funding bill.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempts to redirect blame toward Republicans included proposing an alternative 30-day stopgap measure, which has garnered support from several Democratic colleagues.

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Yet Schumer’s proposal appears destined to fail given the Democratic party’s minority position in both chambers. The measure serves more as a symbolic gesture, allowing Democrats to demonstrate attempted compromise before potentially backing the Republican CR.

The strategy has drawn criticism from within Democratic ranks, particularly from New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

“I hope Senate Democrats understand there is nothing clever about setting up a fake failed 30 day CR first to turn around & vote for cloture on the GOP spending bill,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “Those games won’t fool anyone. It won’t trick voters, it won’t trick House members. People will not forget it.”

Republicans have forced the issue by scheduling the cloture vote for Friday, leaving Democrats mere hours before the shutdown deadline to make their decision. While some Democrats publicly advocate for allowing a shutdown, their final stance remains uncertain.