Senate Democrats face tough choice: Assist GOP in passing funding bill or risk government shutdown

Senate Democrats are grappling with a high-stakes decision as the deadline for a government shutdown looms at midnight on Friday: cooperate with Republicans to pass a funding bill or block it and risk being blamed for triggering a shutdown.

Following the House’s approval of the bill—crafted without Democratic input—Senate Democrats are debating their next move. The party’s base is urging them to resist President Trump and Elon Musk’s aggressive federal workforce cuts by rejecting the bill.

However, some Democrats worry about the shutdown’s potential length, its unpredictable consequences, and the challenge of negotiating a resolution. With the 2026 elections in mind, they must also consider the political fallout. While Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House, Trump’s influence looms large, and ultimately, Senate Democrats hold the key to what happens next.

On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to bypass a filibuster on the House-passed continuing resolution (CR).

"Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input—any input—from Congressional Democrats. Because of that, Republicans do not have the votes in the Senate to invoke cloture on the House CR."

Despite holding a 53-seat majority, Senate Republicans likely need at least eight Democratic votes to overcome a filibuster and pass the measure. Their challenge is compounded by GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has vowed to vote against the bill unless it includes federal workforce cuts spearheaded by billionaire and Trump advisor Elon Musk.

So far, only one Senate Democrat, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, has publicly supported the GOP-led CR, stating his desire to avoid a shutdown. "That’s chaos, and I will never vote for chaos," Fetterman said.

Schumer, instead, proposed a four-week stopgap measure to keep agencies funded at current levels through April 11 while both parties continue negotiations on annual spending bills.

On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized that Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster on the House-passed continuing resolution (CR).

"Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input—any input—from Congressional Democrats. Because of that, Republicans do not have the votes in the Senate to invoke cloture on the House CR."

With a 53-seat majority, Senate Republicans still need at least eight Democratic votes to advance the bill. Their task is further complicated by GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has pledged to vote against the measure unless it includes federal workforce cuts championed by billionaire and Trump advisor Elon Musk.

So far, only one Senate Democrat, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, has publicly signaled support for the GOP-led CR, citing his opposition to a government shutdown. "That’s chaos, and I will never vote for chaos," Fetterman said.

Schumer, meanwhile, has put forward an alternative—a four-week stopgap measure that would maintain current funding levels through April 11, allowing more time for negotiations on annual spending bills.

Sen. Mark Kelly told reporters he was “weighing the badness of each option” as Senate Democrats remained divided over the funding bill.

Several Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), made it clear early on that they would vote against the plan. “I don’t know how anybody can vote for this,” Warren told reporters Wednesday.

House Democrats largely stood united in opposition to the measure, with many taking to social media to urge their Senate colleagues to reject it as well.

Messaging Battle in Full Swing

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who opposes the CR, told NPR that the Trump administration is engaging in “colossal lawlessness—basically upturning so many programs that are vital for veterans, for seniors, and for kids. And I’m not going to have any part in that.” He backed the four-week stopgap bill as the best alternative.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are moving forward. GOP Senate Whip John Barrasso said a vote on the House-passed CR is planned for Friday. He also laid out the GOP’s messaging strategy, arguing that Democrats would bear the blame if the government shuts down.

“To get into this shutdown, they are going to cause it. To get out of the shutdown, they are going to have to come up with a solution—and they will be responsible for all the pain that results from the Democrats' actions,” Barrasso said.