Senate Democrats appear ready to back down in government shutdown fight

[HereForTheParty]

"Senate Democrats say the six-month government funding resolution that passed the House Tuesday is a “horrible” bill, but there’s growing sentiment within the Senate Democratic conference that it would be too risky to block the legislation and risk a government shutdown that could drag on for weeks.

Senate Democrats battled behind closed doors Tuesday over how to handle the House bill, with a number of Democrats — especially those in swing states — arguing that a government shutdown must be avoided, even if it means reluctantly voting for a House GOP-drafted bill.

Several centrists warned that there’s no clear end game for ending a government shutdown if Democrats defeat the House-passed measure, which would increase defense spending by $6 billion, boost funding for border security and cut non-defense programs by $13 billion.

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5189724-senate-democrats-government-funding-shutdown/

I've called my senators and let them know my feelings. We can't say we don't have a card to play.

I've also prepared myself for their folding. The vibes aren't good at all.

[Ursus Rex]

1. LOL "risky"

keep that powder dry, boys and girls, someday someone's gonna ask about it

[atreides1]

2. Weak

Cowards, the lot of them!!!

[Magoo48]

35. Failure is inevitable when we must fight shit action on one side and inaction or collaboration on our side.

[NotHardly]

75. THIS

[bucolic_frolic]

3. "no clear end game"?

Blame Republicans for refusal to compromise and hash out a budget. Give-and-take, deals, the old-fashioned way. Yes, Republicans will try to blame you, but you are being reasonable and are willing to negotiate.

We can't do everything out of fear for taking on risk. We look more impotent than we are when we won't take the best hand we have.

[HereForTheParty]

23. Doesn't look like MAGAts worried about any "end game"

They laid it out and dared the Democrats not to pass it.

[Hotler]

4. My money is on Colorado's Bennett and Hickenlooper to vote for fascism. Hickenlooper is on record,

During a previous vote Hickenlooper said, “what’s the use of resisting?”

[DENVERPOPS]

58. No wonder

the RepubliCON's "extortion" works...........

Actually, the time for DEMs to challenge was in the 1980 "election", or 2000 or 2004, 2016, or 2024.............

[Celerity]

59. My candidates for most likely to vote for it are: Fetterman (already a Yes), Slotkin, Kelly, King, Hickenlooper, Gallego

Peters, Hassan, Cortez Masto, Rosen, Coons, Shaheen, Warner, Kaine, Ossoff, Warnock, Bennet, Klobuchar, Blunt Rochester, Schiff, Welch

[momta]

67. I worry about that too, and they're my senators.

I just called them both and urged a NO vote.

[republianmushroom]

5. Some day they may learn. Jeez

[Bettie]

22. Yeah, but we'll all be destroyed

by then.

It's easy to knuckle under when you have the money to ride out a depression without more than minor inconvenience.

[MustLoveBeagles]

6. Knew it

I wish I could say I'm surprised.

[JohnSJ]

7. "Too risky". Maybe iit is to risky not to. Just a thought, I don't think "playing it safe" has done very well for us.

[Tootbsb]

8. They're gonna fold, they won't even answer the phones or respond.

[Walleye]

9. We can't keep getting bullied into making bad choices dammit

[Baitball Blogger]

10. As a party, we are fucking useless.

[moniss]

41. Much like during the Vietnam War and

anti-draft movement we are going to have to drag much of the party to do anything. Among popular culture and a sick media there has grown this illusion over the years that the party leaders and elected officials were all pushing to end the draft and get us out of Vietnam. It's not true and while we did have some elected officials who were vocal supporters and pushed for us we mostly spent years hearing people talk about "wanting to do something" and then failing to stand up when the time came.

It is not because they were Democrats it was because many of them lacked the commitment to stand up as opposed to protect themselves. Then, as now, we had some fighters and we had some "placeholders". Again it is not because they are Democrats it is because they are human beings and are who they are. Throughout my long life I have learned that courage and the willingness to lay your career on the line for what is needed and right are not found in abundance in politicians and elected leaders.

So we at the grassroots and activist level have to fight on and demand better and demand effort rather than capitulation. If they will not give us effort then we must choose people who will. People like Fetterman for example are a cancer to the party but our response can't stop at condemnation it must be immediately accompanied by a search for someone better for that office.

[leftstreet]

11. Why do we never get much warning about these "gvt shutdowns!!!"

So the peons could stock up, make plans, whatever

They just seem to happen overnight and randomly, and always solved by passing a bill that contains shitty things

[slightlv]

56. Believe me, with or without public acknowledgement

knowledge of government shutdowns happens beforehand pretty often. We in the civil service knew one was coming every time we'd come to the end of fiscal year, to the end of a "CR" period, or towards a "top this in debt" discussion. Count on a shutdown, prepare for it as best you can, and then weather the weeks until it restarts. The only difference this time is thousands of government workers no longer have a job of any kind, the price of everything is high enough only the upper middle class and higher can afford it (hamburger, I'm looking at you!), and no one can see any difference between what's going on right now in government and an actual, declared shutdown.

Although each time worried me when I was working, I came to be pretty damned jaded about the shutdowns. They happened so often, and usually we'd be reimbursed once govt opened back up again. This time, I don't think reimbursement would be coming if there were a shutdown. Musk would just declared it "found" money and direct it to his or trumps bank accounts.

[usonian]

12. Profiles in equivocation.

[newdeal2]

13. Something rotten here

Going along with Trump is not what we voted for.

[dweller]

14. Appeasement in advance

rah rah go team



✌🏻

[bigtree]

15. there are EIGHT Democrats standing in the way

...and this gaslighting, Dem dividing Hill article cites TWO Democrats saying they'd vote for it as it stands.

TWO.

the buried lede:

Senate Democrats said they would continue to discuss their options Wednesday.

“We haven’t made a final decision. We’re still talking about it,” Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said of how Democrats will handle the pivotal vote.

[HereForTheParty]

18. As opposed to the House

where Democratic leadership and rank and file were full throated about their opposition and delivered all but one Democratic vote. I didn't see a bunch of no comments, undecideds, and concerns about doing something "risky".

I very much hope you are right, but I'd be surprised if they didn't fold on this.

[bigtree]

37. you're ignoring the other Democrats who are on the floor TODAY

...in opposition to the bill.

Maybe highlight and promote them instead?

That's pretty much what were good for here, when we're not dragging Dems for being out of power and control and demanding they do more to influence US out here to confront republicans.

I mean, they're already doing their confronting of republicans, right there in the committees and in the chambers where they work, where they're right now fighting the republican majority's budget CR.

[HereForTheParty]

39. They need Democratic votes

You're correct, there are many things they can't do as the minority. But blocking the CR is something they can do.

[BannonsLiver]

20. Right on cue.

🙄

[Voltaire2]

16. Of course.

[OrlandoDem2]

17. Fight the republicans NOW or lose America forever!

[Nanjeanne]

19. They are determined to keep losing.

[Mr. Sparkle]

21. Are they sure they want to enable this administration?

if they are going to vote for the bill, they should require a lot of concessions towards good government, accountability and make sure its for a maximum of 6 months.

[JBTaurus83]

31. They didn't even try.

[William769]

24. So basically they are going to bend over & say Please sir, may I have another.

What the fuck don't they get about what Opposition is? It's a bad bill, it's bad for America. It's setting up the republicans to pass even more bad shit in six months! If the Government shuts down, let it shut down! It's not like we haven't already lost have the damn Government.

GROW A FUCKING PAIR OF BALLS!

[ButchMcMuffin]

34. That's IF we have a government

In six months.

Thank you sir! May I have another!

[JustAnotherGen]

86. Exactly

Yep.

If the Government shuts down, let it shut down! It's not like we haven't already lost have the damn Government.

[TheRickles]

25. But if the Repub's control the House and Senate, they don't need ANY Dem votes to pass this. Right?

[William769]

32. The Senate they need at least 7.

[TheRickles]

43. So the measure needs 60 votes to pass the Senate? Now I get it. Thanks.

[William769]

45. No problem.

[Hotler]

42. Even though we don't have the votes. A unified NO vote across the board would prove to us that you're not

taking cash for Yes votes.

[Nanjeanne]

46. If the Dems stuck together we would have the votes to block them. We could block them. We could stop them.

[kacekwl]

26. As a lifelong Democrat

I'm finding it very hard to continue.

[Grins]

27. We need better Democrats.

And I’m not the first to say that.

[dalton99a]

28. People who see nothing, hear nothing, and do nothing

[ButchMcMuffin]

36. You mean...

Sgt Shultz.

[JBTaurus83]

29. Delivering fascism

With a smile.

[ck4829]

30. Jesus Christ...

[synni]

33. Those senators are complicit

There is literally no other explanation.

[mzmolly]

38. .

“We’re dealing with people — many of whom I suspect think a shutdown would be a good thing, and they could prolong it and use it to expand the president’s power even beyond what they’re already considering. So that’s something that has to be considered. This isn’t normal,” King warned.

[LuvLoogie]

40. Just wait. The Dems' next Capitol steps speech will be the one that expresses the most concern yet.

Gosh. If only the media would write nice things about the Dems, they might pick up the phone.

I was going to semi retire in a few years with my Social Sec., Medicare and a side hustle. My younger daughter has CP with a an IEP. My older daughter is in the beginnings of a relationship with her first girlfriend. She ended her 2 year relationship with her first boyfriend back in early December. At least we live in Illinois.

I really hate that I have MAGA relatives. It is heartbreaking.

I really don't see any light at the end of the tunnel. I have no plans. I can only live in the moment.

It's all going to come crashing down. Our political leadership have no ideas. They only talk about what they might do instead of just doing it.

Fuck this.

[BrianTheEVGuy]

44. Refusing to filibuster is not "refusing to fight"

Dems are the minority party. The Republicans own the entire process and its outcome. There’s zero strategic benefit to filibustering.

Let the people who voted the GOP into majority party status in both houses get a nice heaping helping of what they voted for and realize it tastes a lot like dog shit. That’s how we swing things our way in the short term — special House elections — as well as in the midterms.

Filibustering accomplishes nothing. Just vote no and hang the albatross around GOP reps and senators who supported it.

[Kali999]

47. Josh Marshall

Says to let it ride until Sept. It somewhat makes sense. Also stated that if it went on over 30 days it would give Trump other powers. Its on Talking Points Memo. I called my senators and got music. And left a message for the other one. Anyways reading that made me less anxious.

[Fil1957]

48. Yup, roll over and play dead,

the go-to Democratic strategy.

[orangecrush]

49. Fucking wonderful

[Passages]

50. This is a no brainier.

Whoever caves is not honest with their constituents, nor are they doing the right thing.

[Katcat]

51. Nothing new there

Spineless

[JMCKUSICK]

52. I tried calling Dick Durbins office in Washington and got a recorded message

And then disconnected. That's just not a good way to treat your voters.
If we lay down here, there won't be anything left in six months.
Like history hasn't taught us this lesson again and again.

[Eliot Rosewater]

53. And if they do block it

It will be used as why when they eliminate and steal Social Security Medicare the Democrats are to blame.

No way to win here

[Marvin Jones]

54. Opposition

I took the oath to support and defend the Constitution "against all enemies, foreign and domestic." Democrats, would you please fight the domestic enemy? He is the Chief Traitor who occupies the White House. Or does the oath mean nothing to you?

[Pisces]

55. These spineless fools will pay at the ballot and with no donations!!

I will donate to up and coming dems that will fight for us!! Giving in to Trump is not the way. He will continue to pull the football away! Why are we playing his game!!! We need to be aggressive in our response, it is the only thing this guy understands. Strength and money is all he respects!! Anything else is weakness to him!!!!!

[Buddyzbuddy]

57. Where are the specifics? Terrible reporting.

"Senate Democrats" and "Senate centrists", all bone and no meat. The comments here are all angry and or negative about Democrats because of a generalized non specific accounting. I know I felt pissed off at Democrats when I initially read this, and then I re-read it. Is it lazy, manipulative crap? I don't know. What I do know is that Mike Johnson couldn't have written it better himself. He said the Democrats would be responsible for shutting down the Gov't. They are the party in charge but the purpose was to create public anger at Democrats. The Hill report, same purpose. We already know we have some Senators go along to get along and they should be getting calls. But, our true anger should remain at the Republicans.
Sure, we should call our Senators to let them know we support shutting down the Gov't as a result of rejecting this CR. But I'm tired of the manipulation of my emotions over bad reporting.

[Aepps22]

60. They have to be strategic

I’d give cover to 6 senators in swing states that are up for reelection cover to vote yes and then everyone else vote no. Hick and Mike Benet are safe here in Colorado so they should vote no. While the government is shutdown our side needs to be vocal about why the shutdown is necessary.

[Thrill]

61. What's the point in calling them weak

We already know that’s never going to change

[Moostache]

62. My answer is to their cowardice is in my donations to requests for $$$

Sorry, I am unable to donate anything to a feckless bunch of craven cowards more interested in THEIR seats than OUR country or THE PEOPLE'S TROUBLES.

You get NOTHING, good day sir.

[3825-87867]

63. $13 billion...25 billion in 6 months ...100 billion by Christmas

and the dems will wring their hands and contact Ms. Collins on how to write "sternly worded letters of concern!"

But remember, NONE of them or their families will suffer ONE BIT whether the government shuts down or not.
And also, don't forget THEY still get paid even if the gov shuts down.

Like the old song, most of them are "too old to cut the mustard anymore." Time for new young blood...IF...there's a 2026!

[LauraInLA]

64. Everyone should use indivisible.org to call/email their Congresspeople.

[Tansy_Gold]

65. They're basically telling ALL OF US to do the same

Give in, and give up.

There is no fight in them at all. Which is worse, Senators? A six week or even a six month shut-down . . . . or a total, complete, irrevocable destruction of the US, shredding of the Constitution you assholes swore to defend? As far as I'm concerned, every last one of you appeasers ought to resign now and turn your badges over to 🍉 and 💩 and go ride it out on a beach in Cancun. You're not doing it for "the country". You're doing it to protect your own power and at the same time ceding every iota of that power to the madmen who are going to destroy you, me, and everyone else.

Go right ahead, DU, and report me. I've been sitting on at least one jury almost every day and half the "charges" are so minor as to be laughable. Can't say a word of criticism of an elected leader, not even "constructive" criticism or, heaven forbid, mild disagreement. This is not the time for spinelessness or mealy-mouthedness. What is an exercise in theoretical existential crisis is very fucking real for a lot of very fucking real people. I'm one of them, and I'm tired of this wimpy-ass bullshit.

We've complained about the GOPers and their cruelty, their greed, their avarice, their grabs for power. But now it's the Dems doing the same damn thing. Worried about how it would look when they're next up for election. Fuck 'em. They should be worried about the people who voted for them, people who are going to go hungry, lose their homes, or even die.

Yeah, you, Chuckie Cheese Schumer. Yeah, you, Hakeem Jefferies. Yeah, you, Jared Golden. Yeah, you, John Fetterman. What the ever living fuck is the matter with you? A shut down isn't going to hurt your personal fortunes. And if you stand up to the bullies who are hurting OUR fortunes, you might find your futures are more secure than if you just roll over and play dead.

To paraphrase a courageous TV economist, at the risk of losing my posting privileges on DU, this appeasement shit is insane.

[TygrBright]

66. Phoned Heinrich and Lujan. Talked to real people in both offices. "SHUT IT DOWN" n/t

[Nanjeanne]

76. Did the staff person say which way either would be voting?

[TygrBright]

80. They rarely do, so I wasn't surprised they didn't. Usually means THEY don't know yet. n/t

[Nanjeanne]

81. When I called Chris Murphy's office, the staffer said "believe me Sen. Murphy is a definite NO".

[dweller]

68. And so , here we are

😟



✌🏻

[moonshinegnomie]

69. any dem that votes for this need to be primaried

simple as that. its unacceptable. and if schumer cant convince them then its time for him to go too. IM sick and tired of these weak willed dems... if they dont have the backbone to stand up to fascism then there is no place or them. Until the dems grow a spine i will not donate one red cent to them. nor will i do a thing to help them in any future election.
maybe we need the likes of AOC to run the party instead of what i can only describe as weak willed wimps...

[spanone]

70. They call it a bad bill....yet they may vote for it.

Kill Me.

[FormerOstrich]

71. Speak up, I can't hear you....

I wouldn't be concerned about being blamed for a shutdown.....I'd view it as getting credit for shutting it down.

Why keep it open just to expedite destroying it. Shut it down. Vote NO. Trump gets his power from those that give it to him. Do NOT give him more power. Stand firm.

“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”

--Thomas Jefferson

[Orrex]

72. What we need now are some small signs to hold up

[dweller]

73. I'm in pink !

Not really … I’m just nekkie
😬





✌🏻

[Easterncedar]

74. Call your Senators now!!

This is a Bad Bad deal.

[Srkdqltr]

77. If there is a shutdown there is no government, probably forever!!!

[bif]

78. Spineless

[republianmushroom]

79. As usual, nothing to see here folks, same old, same old, please, move along.

[ibegurpard]

82. Wrong

Here's the very latest
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5191508-senate-democrats-vote-government-funding-30-day-cr/

[alarimer]

83. I've read contradicting things about this

But if this is so, primary anyone who votes for this Enabling Act.

[JustAnotherGen]

84. It will be a shame if they do

I will give up all hope.

[GPV]

85. Gotta keep that powder dry!

[bigtree]

87. if you're going to fire

...first gotta point the gun in the right direction.

No prize for shooting your own hunting party.

[GPV]

88. Doesn't matter. They already gutted us on their bayoneted.

[Liberal In Texas]

89. Sen. Fetterman's Bluesky.

Leave a comment:

The weeks of performative “resistance” from those in my party were limited to undignified antics.

Voting to shut the government down will punish millions or risk a recession.

I disagree with many points in the CR, but I will never vote to shut our government down.

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@fetterman.senate.gov) 2025-03-11T22:16:15.613Z