As a potential government shutdown looms, Democrats are split on whether to use it as a political weapon against Republican budget demands. While some, like Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), are pushing for a hardline approach, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) signaled a willingness to cooperate in order to keep the government running.
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“In a few weeks, the Republicans are going to try to figure out how they move forward, and they have, for the last two years, needed Democratic votes for every single continuing resolution, and they should not count on that this time,” Kim said on NBC News’s Meet the Press on Sunday.
For the past year, Congress has relied on temporary funding measures, known as continuing resolutions, to keep the government running in the absence of a long-term budget deal. The current funding expires on March 14, increasing pressure on lawmakers to reach an agreement.
Despite the calls from some Democrats to stand firm, Schumer appeared to soften the stance on Monday, making it clear that Democrats would step in to prevent a shutdown. “Democrats stand ready” to ensure the government remains funded, Schumer said, according to Salon. “Of course, legislation in the Senate requires 60 votes, and Senate Democrats will use our votes to help steady the ship for the American people in these turbulent times.
It is incumbent on responsible Republicans to get serious and work in a bipartisan fashion to avoid a Trump Shutdown.” Schumer’s remarks highlight the tension within the Democratic Party, where progressive members are pushing for a more confrontational approach. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, for example, has made it clear that she does not believe Democrats should help Republicans pass a budget without significant concessions.
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“We shouldn’t give them a single damn vote until we have demands met,” she told Business Insider. “If they want to pass massive cuts at these agencies, they’re going to have to do it on their own.” With just weeks before the funding deadline, the debate within the Democratic Party reflects broader political stakes.
If no agreement is reached, a shutdown could disrupt government operations and spark widespread political fallout. Whether Democrats will ultimately unite behind Schumer’s strategy or adopt a more aggressive stance remains an open question as negotiations continue.
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