Schumer says he will vote to advance GOP spending bill, lowering threat of shutdown

SUMMARY

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer threw a curveball Thursday, announcing he’ll vote to push forward a House-passed six-month funding bill, despite a chorus of “no”s from his party. “I’m keeping the government open,” he said on the floor, flipping from Wednesday’s stance that the GOP plan lacked votes. It’s only him and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) so far, but his move might nudge others to follow. The bill—slammed by Dems as a “slush fund” for Trump and Elon Musk—needs 60 votes to clear the Senate by Friday’s shutdown deadline. Schumer admits it’s a “terrible” option, but says a shutdown’s worse, risking vets’ services and Social Security cuts. Sens. Jon Ossoff (Ga.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), and others like Mark Kelly (Ariz.) are still noping out, griping about slashed NIH funds and Musk’s sway. Schumer’s pushing for a 30-day fix instead, but says GOP brass like John Thune (S.D.) won’t bite. Progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are fuming, calling it a “mistake.”