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Senate Democrats Back GOP Spending Bill, Stirring Controversy
In a significant move, ten Senate Democrats collaborated with Republicans to advance a spending bill proposed by the GOP, positioning it for passage just before a crucial midnight deadline. This decision has raised eyebrows among many of their Democratic colleagues who expressed strong reservations.
The Democrats who supported this measure included prominent figures such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from New York, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Senators Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Gary Peters of Michigan, Brian Schatz from Hawaii, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire. Additionally, Angus King, an independent senator from Maine who aligns with the Democratic caucus, also cast his vote in favor.
This coalition of senators aligned with nearly all Republican members, save for Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who opposed the initiative.
As active discussions unfolded, both Peters and Shaheen announced their intentions to retire at the end of their current terms, adding another layer of complexity to the political dynamics at play.
Schumer’s endorsement of the spending bill has sparked significant backlash, particularly among House Democrats, Senate progressives, and various factions within the party’s base. Critics argue that his support for the measure effectively empowers figures like former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, granting them undue influence over government functions for the remainder of the fiscal year.
In defense of his decision, Schumer contended that a government shutdown would enable Trump and Musk to exert even greater control over what roles within the government would be classified as essential or nonessential. He stated, “As bad as the CR is, allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option. A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive.” Schumer emphasized that allowing such a scenario would grant Trump and DOGE unprecedented authority over essential governance activities.
Source
thehill.com