In a last-minute turn of events, the House of Representatives voted for a bill to fund the government through September 2025, barely averting a potential shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson received a 217-213 vote on the spending package, a continuing resolution (CR), just days before part of the funds were set to expire. The bill is in limbo now in the Senate, where Democrats are being put to a difficult decision.
With House approval, Senate Democrats are divided on whether to support the proposal or risk a government shutdown. The bill must now pass 60 votes in the Senate, meaning at least eight Democrats would need to change party affiliation and vote for it to prevent a shutdown on Friday evening. Key Democratic leaders are however strongly opposing the bill.
Maine Senator Angus King captured the dilemma when he said, “There are only two options: vote for a pretty terrible CR or vote for a possibly worse shutdown.” Several Democrats are conflicted over whether they should vote on the bill or allow a shutdown that could have profound political and economic consequences.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Roundly criticized the House-passed CR, which she characterized as a “shutdown bill” Republicans would get the blame for. “This proposal makes crystal clear where Republicans’ values lie,” Warren declared, stating it would be detrimental to working families. She wouldn’t comment on how she planned to vote but did come to the defense of House Democrats who opposed the bill.
While there have been rumblings among some Democrats in the Senate about possibly crossing party lines, others there are considering the pragmatist path of supporting the bill in the interest of averting a shutdown. Rep. Jared Golden, the lone Democrat to support the bill in the House, explained his vote as “A shutdown would be worse. Even a brief shutdown would introduce more chaos and uncertainty at a time when our country can ill afford it.”
As the Senate considers a make-or-break vote, Democrats are being forced to take a tough position that could have severe political repercussions. The House is in recess this week, so now the pressure falls on Senate Democrats, who are attempting to weather this moment of heightened tension surrounding the budget.
