Scoop: Schumer looks to jam Republicans on Musk and billionaires
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to use this week's budget votes to force Republicans to choose between defending tax cuts for billionaires or defying President Trump and Elon Musk.
- "It unifies Democrats from one end to the other. It is simple. It is easy to state. And it's true," Schumer told Axios.
Why it matters: After weeks of getting pummeled, Schumer is clearly relishing the prospect of changing the subject and forcing Republicans to play defense.
- Schumer wants to turn the "vote-a-rama" on the Senate GOP's budget bill — expected Thursday or Friday — into a parade of tragic decisions by Trump and Musk — all in service of making the rich even richer.
- Look for amendments on Trump's proposed tax cuts, the president's funding and hiring freezes and Musk's deep cuts to federal agencies.
- You can also expect an amendment blocking the GOP from changing tax rates if they cut funding from Medicare or Medicaid.
Zoom in: None of these Democratic-forced amendments will pass. But Schumer's goal is to make GOP senators own as many of the cuts and freezes as possible, or put them on the wrong side of a president who demands total loyalty.
- Democrats have been on their back feet as Trump and Musk fire federal workers, cut off foreign aid and rewire the country's bureaucracy.
- Democratic lawmakers feel powerless and are "pissed" at Democratic activist groups.
- Schumer and Jeffries huddled last week for a strategy session on how they could pick a couple of issues — such as cuts to Medicare and tax breaks for the wealthy — to re-create the magic of 2018.
🚨Now Schumer has an opening to cast DOGE and the congressional GOP in the harshest possible light.
- That includes programs highlighted by DOGE and those — like Medicaid — targeted by congressional Republicans.
