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When Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) indicated that Democrats would oppose the Trump administration’s continuing resolution (CR), the corporate media machine sprang into action, hastily declaring that the Democrats would be responsible for any government shutdown.
This situation left some Senate Democrats flustered, as many within the party seem overly influenced by a media establishment that often displays open disdain for them. Consequently, there’s a growing sentiment among certain Senators to find a way to support Trump’s CR.
The Trump administration appears confident that enough Senate Democrats will capitulate, needing the support of eight Democrats to proceed.
“They’re 100 percent gonna swallow it,” one White House official stated. “They’re totally screwed.”
This overconfidence is striking, especially given that Schumer has yet to outline his strategy. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are speculating about the potential for a compromise where Senate Democrats might receive amendment votes in exchange for supporting the House-approved CR.
If such a compromise materializes, it could spell disaster for the Democratic Party, marking yet another self-inflicted wound by leadership that seems unwilling to heed the desires of their own constituents.
What voters are expressing is a desire to stand firm.
House Democrats are indeed putting up a fight.
In contrast, some Senate Democrats appear inclined to retreat and take no action.
While it might be easy to point fingers at Chuck Schumer, it’s important to note that Schumer tends to follow the wishes of his caucus. If Senate Democrats were united in their desire for a standstill, Schumer would likely support that course of action.
The root of the issue lies in a faction of Senate Democrats who are paralyzed by fear of a shutdown, swayed by the mainstream media that echoes Republican narratives.
Neera Tanden from the Center for American Progress has circulated a memo urging Senate Democrats to recognize the growing momentum against Trump and to hold firm against the CR, warning that failure to do so could undermine the progress currently being made.
Trump may believe he can emerge victorious from a government shutdown, but history suggests otherwise. Just as he was mistaken in his previous shutdown predictions, he is likely to be wrong again.
Republicans, despite their control over the federal government, are unlikely to win this battle, especially as public sentiment shifts against them regarding economic issues.
Democrats have a straightforward argument to make: the responsibility for governance lies with those in power. If Republicans want Democratic support to pass a CR, they must come to the negotiation table.
Unfortunately, Senate Democrats seem to be taking their supporters for granted.
Simply urging constituents to vote against the CR isn’t enough. They need to communicate the potential consequences of supporting it—namely, that a vote in favor could jeopardize their positions.
Do you believe Republicans would take the brunt of a government shutdown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
