Senate Democrats warm to helping GOP avoid government shutdown
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Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer at a press conference on Capitol Hill today. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Senate Democrats are indicating they won't tank a short-term government funding package, barring any eleventh-hour GOP surprises.
Why it matters: A truly clean funding bill will make life easier for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), with President Trump's help, is steadily building House GOP support to extend last year's spending levels through Sept. 30 without any significant policy changes.
- Schumer has been clear that he wants to avoid a shutdown. Even talking about wanting one is a big no-no.
If the GOP can get a clean continuing resolution (CR) through the House, and avoid multiple GOP defectors in the Senate, it should be doable to get enough Dems on board to reach 60 votes, multiple sources tell Axios.
- "Republicans are responsible for funding the government. ... They haven't engaged in discussions with us yet, either me" or House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Schumer said on Tuesday. "So we have to wait to see what their plan is."
The big picture: The math leaves Schumer with lots of breathing room to let other irate Democrats express their fury with Trump.
- "I don't want to see another year of them dismembering the government," Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told Axios on Wednesday when asked whether he would support a stopgap package.
- "It's not something that I want to see," Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) said on Wednesday.
Between the lines: Appropriators on Wednesday made clear that they were pursuing a plan B in case a yearlong CR doesn't survive the House or the Senate.
- Appropriators from both sides of the aisle said they were close on a top-line agreement on fiscal year 2025 funding levels.
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) has called for Congress to pass a shorter stopgap bill that would allow lawmakers to pass individual spending bills.
- "We cannot stand by and accept a yearlong power grab CR that would help Elon take a chainsaw to programs that families rely on and agencies that keep our communities safe," Murray said this week.
What we're watching: The heaviest lift is on Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who are navigating slim majorities.
- That task looked simpler Wednesday after House Freedom Caucus members met with Trump at the White House and gave the green light.
- "We're ready to advance the ball next week," Rep Chip Roy (R-Texas) said.
