House Democrats reacted swiftly to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s announcement that he would support the House-passed spending measure, which is largely opposed by their party.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s recent decision to vote in favor of a partisan spending bill has sparked significant backlash among House Democrats.
“There is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal affecting not only progressive Democrats but the entire party,” stated a New York representative, expressing their views during a party retreat in Virginia.
“This decision feels like a huge slap in the face,” the representative added.
House Democrats gathered for their annual retreat with concerns about how their Senate colleagues would approach the GOP spending bill, which had received nearly unanimous opposition from House Democrats just days prior. Many had viewed that previous vote as a show of solidarity and expected Senate members to align similarly.
“Democratic senators should remain united,” urged another representative before Schumer’s announcement.
Echoing the sentiment, they warned that this vote extends beyond the current spending bill. “If we concede on this issue, we risk conceding on many more,” they said.
In his speech, Schumer defended his choice, arguing that a government shutdown would be a “far worse option” than endorsing the GOP’s spending package.
However, several House Democrats voiced strong objections.
“They are going to regret this day,” remarked a New York Democrat, reflecting on the implications of Schumer’s decision. “This now emboldens Republicans to continue undermining our government.”
Ocasio-Cortez countered Schumer’s justification, asserting, “Voting for this plan legitimizes the chaos and reckless cuts currently being pursued.” She emphasized the potential for correcting the course and urged her colleagues to engage with Senate members to discourage support for the imminent cloture vote.
“A shutdown isn’t a foregone conclusion,” she stated. “We can pursue a clean 30-day extension, allowing negotiations to resume for a functional government.”
Throughout the conference, attendees underscored the need for a unified message from both the House and Senate as the opposition party.
“This is a crucial moment that requires clarity and purpose. We must decisively communicate our intentions,” said another representative before Schumer’s remarks.
A call was made for Schumer to rally his caucus and demonstrate to the American public that Democrats are ready to advocate for them during this crucial political juncture.
Later, the House Democratic Leader and his senior deputies issued a statement condemning the GOP bill, asserting it would “create turmoil for everyday Americans.” They criticized the bill for empowering GOP figures aligned with dismantling federal resources.
The leadership reiterated their commitment to pushing for a four-week continuing resolution to return to negotiations and noted, “We firmly oppose the partisan spending bill currently being considered in the Senate.”
