In a surprising turn of events, Congressional Democrats are seemingly determined to bring about a government shutdown in order to prevent a temporary extension of spending levels, which were initially established under a Democratic presidency.
This move by the Democrats is likely to appease their radical base, which has been a source of increasing personal political risk for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
However, the long-term benefits for the Democratic party remain unclear, as there seems to be no viable exit strategy from a shutdown that would result in significant victories for the Democrats. Moreover, the shutdown would grant the Trump administration the power to implement extensive cuts across the executive branch.
The road ahead for the Democrats appears to be fraught with challenges, and it seems to lead to an even more empowered and assertive Trump administration.
According to Breitbart, a meeting has been scheduled between Jeffries, Schumer, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) with President Donald Trump at the White House. This meeting was requested by Schumer, but expectations for any substantial progress are low.
Republicans, who currently control the White House and both chambers of Congress, seem resolute in their chosen course of action.
On September 19, the House passed a clean continuing resolution (CR) to maintain current spending levels until November 21. These spending levels were initially approved during Joe Biden's presidency and were extended through the end of the current fiscal year, September 30, 2025, in a CR in March.
However, just hours later, the House-passed clean CR failed in the Senate. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat who voted for the CR, while Republican Senators Rand Paul (KY) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) opposed the deal.
Thune plans to reintroduce the bill for a vote on Tuesday, providing Democrats with another opportunity to keep the government operational. However, it seems unlikely that Schumer and his allies will have a change of heart.
In their opposition to the bill, Democrats are heavily focusing on health care, an issue they believe could provide them with an advantage in the 2026 midterm elections. They have frequently used the term "Republican healthcare crisis" in their arguments against the short-term spending bill, which does not include any new provisions affecting healthcare.
Democrats are particularly keen on using the seven-week bill to extend Obamacare subsidies that do not expire until the end of 2025. They argue that a short-term bill is an inappropriate vehicle to attach such a significant rider that deserves its own thorough debate.
Democrats have also advocated for using the short-term bill to reverse provisions passed by Trump's administration to protect Medicaid, including removing illegal aliens from welfare rolls.
However, Republicans in the majority are unlikely to undo their signature legislative achievements. A government shutdown seems almost inevitable. Jeffries told Punchbowl News days before the potential shutdown that Democrat leaders "have been preparing for a government shutdown showdown for months."
In a last-minute press conference on Monday morning, Jeffries insisted that Democrats are seeking a bipartisan path forward. However, he labeled Republicans' plan to continue Biden-era spending levels as a "partisan spending bill." He stated, "If the government shuts down, it's because Republicans want to shut the government down."
Despite these confusing characterizations, the clean CR is the most bipartisan option available for Democrats as it presents a path for substantive bipartisan negotiations. This bill allows seven weeks for the continuation of bipartisan talks that began months ago between Democrats and big-spending Republican appropriators.
This process to negotiate a longer-term spending bill would provide a vehicle for Democrats to attach some of their priorities. However, as the minority party without control of the White House or Congress, their leverage is limited.
Elections, of course, have consequences. But by derailing these ongoing bipartisan negotiations with a shutdown, Democrats are increasing the chances that Republicans will simply continue current spending levels even further, perhaps until the end of the next fiscal year a distant September 30, 2026, right before midterm elections.
A shutdown is bad enough for Democrats, but killing the bipartisan negotiations on a longer-term spending deal is even more disastrous. The Office of Management and Budget, led by Director Russ Vought, a notorious opponent of the federal bureaucracy, issued a memo days before the funding deadline.
The memo suggested that agencies should consider a "reduction in force" for many federal programs if the government closes, meaning thousands of federal workers could be permanently laid off.
Many of these potential layoffs of bureaucrats, who many Democrats see as their operatives within the federal government, would be permanent. But a CR through the end of the next fiscal year would be an even greater nightmare for Democrats, further adding to confusion as to why the minority party is pursuing this course.
Spending cuts from OMB made through rescissions the process that eliminated Democrats' beloved funding for corporate broadcasting and foreign aid remain in place as long as current funding levels continue. And Vought has made clear he intends to rescind even more spending.
It gives little incentive for Republicans to capitulate, and creates more questions as to why Democrats are insisting upon a shutdown. Although Republicans have lost the messaging battle in prior shutdowns, this time the GOP possesses advantages it has not previously held.
For once, the party is united around an easily understood, clearly defined agenda item in the clean CR. And by blocking that reasonable proposal, its now the Democrats holding the government hostage by making demands to radically change current spending and policies or else trigger a shutdown.
Schumer and Jeffries are unpopular with their base, a fact that might drive their decision-making. Radical leftist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) would be a favorite to defeat Schumer in a primary, if she chose to do so.
And Marxist Zohran Mamdani, the overwhelming favorite to win the New York City mayoralty in Schumer and Jeffries state, has created further headaches, particularly for Jeffries.
The House minority leader has tried to keep a safe distance from Mamdani, whose growing position as the leader of the national Democrat Party threatens Jeffries chances of ever gaining the Speakers gavel. But his refusal to thus far endorse Mamdani, who won their partys primary for New York City mayor, has caused a groundswell of attacks against Jeffries.
In forcing a shutdown, desperate Democrats may be hoping the short-term reprieve from incessant attacks from their radical base is worth the long-term headaches and reduced political standing. Somewhere, Trump is smiling.
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