I’ve been calling Schumer and Gillibrand all week to push them to not vote for the CR.
So I get everyone’s anger.
But this does not mean that Schumer is evil or bad or a coward.
It means he thinks that a different decision is a better decision.
From Dan Pfeiffer (from the Obama admin)
The sentiment within the activist base of the party is clear. The shutdown vote is a rare moment of leverage and Democrats should use it to push back on Trump and Musk. A vote for a Trump-endorsed bill to keep the government open would be yet another capitulation from a party that hasn’t done enough to stand up to an existential threat to the country.
People are angry and scared. They are looking for someone, anyone, to step up. This is why Senator Chris Murphy became a party hero, and thousands flocked to see Bernie Sanders in Iowa and Michigan.
If you are a regular listener of Pod Save America, you may have noticed my inconsistent thoughts on the question. A few weeks ago, I argued that Democrats could not — and should not — vote for anything that didn’t prohibit Musk from unilaterally shutting down government agencies. Last week, after interviewing several Senate Democrats on the night of Trump’s joint address, I softened my stance.
Some Senate Democrats are scared of the fight and would prefer to roll over and play dead. But many others want a strategy and are considering whether a shutdown would actually help Musk accomplish his goals of gutting the federal government. A shutdown only works as a point of leverage if Trump et al feel pressure to reopen the government. If they plan to destroy the government or are content to let the government stay closed for as long as possible, the plan is useless.
I worked in the White House during several near shutdowns and one actual shutdown. When the government is shut down, it’s tough for a President and his staff to do their jobs. Most of the White House is furloughed. Only a skeleton crew remains in the building to do the work. The ability to travel, plan events, or attend meetings is minimal. The limits stem from a fear of violating the anti-deficiency act, which dictates how the government spends money. It seems unlikely that Trump’s staff would have those same concerns.
This is not to say that Democrats could not win this fight or that they shouldn’t take it, but serious, substantive considerations shouldn’t be dismissed as cowardice.
You can disagree with this. You can be upset about this. I get that. Heck, we all have the right to feel however we feel.
But the fact remains that Schumer is arguing that it is precisely those reasons (above) that have led to his change in vote. He has also pointed out that a shutdown would close the courts, which have been our main way to fight this. So trump and elon would be out there acting with no courts to stop them.
IMHO, he is not being a coward. The pressure on him right now from his constituents is clear — people want him to vote no. If anything, it is braver to do this than to go with what he is being pushed to do by us. Again, I am not saying it is right or wrong. But I do suspect that he is doing This because he says he thinks it is best for the country.
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Donald Trump and Elon Musk want a shutdown to destroy vital government services faster.
It would be a disaster.
And we have to alert everyone how much pain it would cause the American people.
From my interview on @allinwithchris.bsky.social:
— Chuck Schumer (@schumer.senate.gov) 2025-03-14T03:15:28.693Z
Do I agree is is best? I don’t know. I wanted him to vote a different way.
But I am not going to let a disagreement with an ally turn into the focus of my anger and rage. I know where my anger and rage is focused and I will not be distracted.
This will not be the first or the last time I disagree with how someone else is addressing this crisis. I won’t let this (or the next time) distract me from the real enemies.
my two cents.
