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Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democrats held firm to their commitments. They refrained from backing Speaker Mike Johnson’s continuing resolution (CR), forcing Johnson to rally enough Republican support to pass it independently.
In a twist of political maneuvering, Johnson and Trump succeeded in securing just enough votes to pass the CR with a narrow margin of 217-213. However, with the House Democrats retreating this week, Congress will be out of session until next week.
Among the votes, Rep. Thomas Massie stood alone as the lone Republican opposing the measure, while Rep. Jared Golden was the solitary Democrat in support.
The CR now heads to the Senate, where some Democrats appear to be wavering.
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, facing a potentially challenging reelection campaign next year, expressed to CNN that a government shutdown is “not in our nation’s interests” and noted, “we will see what comes out of the House.”
Frustrated Democrats on both sides of Capitol Hill privately feel as though they are navigating a foggy landscape, unclear of each other’s strategies. House Democrats are growing impatient, as leading Senate Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, have yet to articulate their position. It’s worth noting that Schumer has not briefed Jeffries on his plans, as reported by a Democratic lawmaker close to Jeffries.
This communication gap highlights a troubling reality: House and Senate Democrats seem to be operating on entirely different wavelengths.
House Democrats appear to have absorbed the message from their constituents: they are expected to resist and stand firm. In contrast, Senate Democrats are reportedly anxious about being blamed for a potential shutdown, a concern that, given their minority status, comes across as rather self-serving.
Senate Democrats might be better served by focusing on energizing their base, rather than worrying about moderates or attempting to appease Trump. After all, demoralized supporters are unlikely to turn up for crucial Senate races, such as those in Michigan next year.
Simply put, Democrats are eager to engage in a fight. The House Democrats did not yield, maintaining their stance and compelling Johnson and Trump to find the votes themselves.
Senate Democrats should adopt a similar approach or risk facing backlash from their supporters.
What are your thoughts on House Democrats’ refusal to support the resolution? Join the conversation in the comments below.
