Chuck Schumer Signals Possible Government Shutdown, Says Republicans Lack Votes

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is signaling a possible government shutdown, saying the Republicans do not have enough votes to pass the spending bill.

Key Details: Schumer said that since there are not enough votes to advance the Republican government funding bill passed by the U.S. House, a government shutdown could occur ahead of the March 14 deadline. Schumer would like a vote on a 30-day funding stopgap bill, but it too would likely fail. Meanwhile, some Senate Democrats are indicating that they will not allow a government shutdown.

Key Quotes: "Democrats had nothing to do with this bill. And we want an opportunity to get an amendment vote or two. So that's what we are insisting on to vote for cloture," said Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). Schumer said, “Our caucus is unified on a clean April 11 [continuing resolution] that will keep the government open and give Congress time to negotiate bipartisan legislation that can pass."

For Context: Republicans think Schumer may be bluffing, but Schumer's comments put Congress closer to a government shutdown. Senate leaders from both parties have said they want to avoid a shutdown.

How the Media Covered It: National Review (Lean Right bias) noted that many Democrats see government funding negotiations as the one area of leverage they have left to push back against the Trump administration's efforts to shrink and reshape the federal bureaucracy. Axios (Lean Left bias) noted that forcing an amendment vote on a 30-day continuing resolution would allow Democrats to say they tried to reign in President Donald Trump before finally voting to prevent a government shutdown.

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