I voted against the horrible MAGA “continuing resolution” — a fake and partisan CR loaded up with executive power for Trump. I hated it. But respected colleagues voted otherwise, and not just to “cave in” versus “stand up.” 🧵
Comments
Log in with your Bluesky account to leave a comment
I did a lot research into how a shutdown might play out, and there was lots to fear; not least that the Trump/Musk/Vought axis of MAGA extremists would love a shutdown, and want a long one, and use it to cruel advantage. What was there to fear?
This, THANK you. There is no reason to think for a moment that a shutdown would have even slowed down the hostilities. The only thing it would have changed is everything would be blamed on Dems even when it was being done by DOGE. The media would run with that. Might as well give them martial law.
As opposed to…??? 4 hours after the shut down they eliminated 7 agency comprising 500 employees and 500M$, INCLUDING FUNDING FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES. Today they announced they’re closing another atmospheric monitoring station. They’re defying court orders to disappear people.
OkSchumer is a dismissive phrase used to criticize the opinions, ideas or cowardice of an elected official.
Origins are when US Senator Chuck Schumer serving as the minority leader failed to serve the Nation during dire circumstances. Instead he chose to give into fascism
brilliant, senator! your caucus avoided the possibility of a long government shutdown by explicitly giving trump a blank check to carry out whatever shutdowns he felt like.
That's not the point now. It's done, but again, PEOPLE FEEL ABANDONED. The Senate was not transparent, and the House Dems were actually betrayed as well. And the minority leader who is already rich is now on a book tour.
Can you not see how it is all demoralizing? You need to at least be there rn.
In shutdown, executive powers are at their apex, including power to close whole departments and agencies and divisions, “Reduction in Force” all their personnel, and make massive cuts of programs and firings of people they deem “non-essential.”
Schumer deprived Trump of getting to blame D's for the economic destruction and massive firings he will continue with. Now the blame can only be on Trump. I say well done.
And Trump thanked Schumer to manipulate the party into turning on each other, which is exactly what happened.
With all due respect Senator, those are the words of a coward! This damned if we do, damnedif we don’t attitude will be the reason our democracy ends. FIGHT BACK! Do something!!!! Or resign and let someone who isn't a sheep take charge
If you're worried about RIFs I guess it's probably not good that you dipshits gave up literally any leverage over the entirely legal ones that are coming
I see argument with this. How about 'in shutdown, Musk and Trump and their Kremlin cohorts continue to attack the United States in every way because since when would they stop doing that just because Democrats said 'time out, we're refusing to participate'? They'll be BOMBING government buildings.
Stop trying to justify collaborating with the nazis, you spineless twit. You're a traitor and complicit in everything happening now. I hope you are never given a single moment of peace for the rest of your life, and every shit you take is difficult and slow.
Untrue and completely misses the point. Where’s your self-respect? Desire to fight for your constituents and our country? Gone, along with your credibility and integrity.
What do you even talking about? He voted against the CR he voted against cloture. It's like: form an opinion then *maybe* look at the facts. Maybe he's doing a lot of work.
I’m a federal employee and can tell you that you’re wrong about this.
And if you really believe this and Dems will never allow a shutdown, then what will stop Republicans from rolling over Dems during the next round of approps negotiations? You are giving away leverage.
They’re doing it whether the government is shut down or not, and you all can’t seem to figure out what everyone else can plainly see.
Stop capitulating. Stop playing nice and playing by norms and rules that don’t apply anymore. Take a hint from the GOP opposition and say NO to EVERYTHING.
The horrible stuff they’re now doing illegally and sloppily with their DOGE Musk-rats, they could do in shutdown mode under a veneer of legality, directed by Trump’s “Project 2025” OMB, with added executive powers from declaring an “emergency.”
“I gave my political opponent what they wanted with no pushback. But to oppose them, or to even have some basic sense of morality, would have been disastrous for the nation.”
MAGA extremists and their spineless Congress would decide what agencies or parts of agencies to bring back out of shutdown, and when. Defense, Homeland Security and the VA (with parts they don’t like removed) would likely come first.
If any. That is an assumption, that they would bring ANYTHING back, even the DoD. If their aim is not profit but the destruction of America that just hands them a pretext to outright replace the abdicated government. It wouldn't matter if it started a civil war. They are trying to do just that.
You want to be taken seriously but can’t even speak clearly about who did this. They aren’t maga extremists they’re Republicans. Just say it. It’s really ok to be partisan. Also, spineless implies they don’t believe it but we know Republicans do in fact believe. Why are you covering for them?
They’re doing all this now and getting away with it. He could have vetoed the CR if he wanted this shutdown like your pretending he wants. The CR gives him funding and lets him spend it how he chooses. As his is right now. That’s what you are supporting.
But when would they bring the Department of Education back out of shutdown, or the EPA? Ever? What courts would they keep open for “essential” judicial functions (with Roberts’ blessing)? The MAGA-ized Fifth Circuit? Trump’s MAGA district judges?
Grow up and smarten up. MAGA is their branding. It’s their preferred branding. Leads most to think of Trump and a few bad Republicans when it’s ALL Republicans. Stop providing cover for them and helping them avoid accountability.
Don't be surprised if the lawsuits against DoDG start to get thrown out bc Congress codified DoGD cuts n gave the executive branch unchecked power but at least half the gov will not be shutdown 🤦🏿♀️ bc the other half of gov has been shutdown by DonOld n Musk those 10 Senate Dems supporting it all.
As expected, Senate Dems closing ranks with "well, actually.." a shutdown would close courts.
OH REALLY? Well, the government IS currently open and Trump is openly VIOLATING COURT ORDERS.
How TF will "keeping the government open" stop him.
Those 20 traitors have ceded this country for "decorum"
I was willing to walk into that valley of government death to bring the battle to a head, make a clear break between sides, and (I believe) help brightly spotlight for voters the evil at work. But it’s reasonable to reach the other conclusion, and good people did.
Don't lie to us, Senator. Courts stay open for about a month in a shutdown. They have fee revenue.
The Executive doesn't decide which courts to close. And you know this ("with Roberts' blessing").
So don't try to bamboozle us about it.
While I think a shutdown is still better, and the process of the vote was disastrous, this is a thing that people didn't truly realize as a tail risk for a shutdown, in that it gives them a legal way to remove the last major legal obstacle to Donald Trump's regime.
When will the Department of Education or the EPA be restored NOW? Without a shutdown, however hateful, every court is sorting out the shape and meaning of Musk's chainsaw cuts.
AND Congress gave Trump carte blanche in terms of spending! Good colleagues or not, NOTHING was averted by their timidity.
They're already shutting them down with RIFs, dude. Courts cannot and will not stop legal RIF processes. I can't believe I have to explain this to a senator.
Oh, so you mean they would take the EPA and the DOE off life support now (with Dem endorsement) rather than a more protracted, agonizing death in the face of an organized resistance? We knew how passing the CR would play out, at least a no would give us hope that things could change.
Thank you for explaining the consequences of a government shutdown under this regime. I thought the Dems should have filibustered, but I don’t think enough Americans realize yet the dire situation. The judiciary is all we have standing between the rule of law and a complete breakdown of society.
Guess you should have shut down the government then and been able to force a negotiation in the future since they are doing this despite Democrat acquiescence.
Senator, you need to understand that, because of what your caucus did, they are now able to do exactly the same things, with a stronger argument for legality because of the CR, and now they have the blessing of Congress to do it. You betrayed us. If you're not going to fight, resign and let us do it
You need to admit that passing the CR was a mistake. You need to vote no on everything, and object to all unanimous consent, and insist on quorum calls, until Trump, Vance, and Musk are removed from government and their illegal actions are reversed.
If they wanted a shutdown, Trump would have vetoed the CR.
Trump did not veto the bill.
Therefore, Trump does not want a shutdown.
Your argument is nonsense.
They're doing it anyway! You just said so yourself. You have no plan to stop these illegal actions. You people are complicit. We aren't idiots, despite what the contempt you treat us with reveals about your opinion of us.
And now they will legalize it in the budget that your colleagues enabled in cloture or worse. The only thing you did was make it clear you have no role and no agency. This doesn’t help democracy long term.
I get your point, but Trump and Musk are going to do this shutdown or not. Let them own it instead of being complicit by working with an illegitimate Executive Branch and pretending it will make a difference.
Senator this is just...patently incorrect and it's very concerning that you and other ELECTED SENATORS are using legally-incorrect theories as justification for a very bad vote
Respectfully disagree. Master manipulator Trump would have shouted it from the rooftops on the daily that Dem's caused it.
He is currently getting the blame for the disaster he has caused since JAN 20, and he will continue to get the blame. D's gave him what he wanted, so it's on him.
To put it briefly, Dems have no plan. They expect the base to mobilize and get Jeffries elected speaker but have chosen not to partake in that fight themselves. Instead they just want to criticize that very same base they want to do all the work.
Scrambling hard to justify a pretty weak decision. I'm sorry, Senator, the Capitulation 10 just don't have the backbone for this. People are disgusted at the lack of fight in Democratic leadership. We are leaving the party in droves.
Actually executive powers are at their apex when the president does a bunch of illegal shit and then the supposed opposition party doesn’t even bother to fight back you dunce
Here is the problem. Republicans effectively stall and stop everything democrats try and do when they are in the minority. Democrats on the other hand post shit on social media and that’s it.
People are like looking for action not fake outrage
Please explain to the American People how that was meaningfully different from what he was doing before, and how it’s meaningfully different from what the budget legally now allows him to do because of your vote.
Disappointing. I had hoped you would be on the right side of whether or not to fight the Trump regime and their enablers. You weren’t elected to throw up your hands and let fascism destroy our government.
No, no it doesn't. It's really disturbing that a sitting Senator is this ignorant of what a shutdown actually does, and is willing to cede power to a hostile regime in order to avoid imaginary scenarios.
Resign if you cant think of a thing to do except as us for more money. You are impotent. Here’s one thing you can do immediately:
Get rid of @schumer.senate.gov
Different times call for different leaders & different tactics
you're a lying fucking cunt and you and the rest of the Dems let us down completely. I'm keeping my D registration just to primary you all but not donating a cent any longer
Newsflash - Trump is already doing all of that, and ignoring court orders, and committing fresh crimes every day, and y'all ain't doing shit about it. Schumer has to go. He's lost our trust and the respect of the party.
this is extremely damaging. if a shutdown does happen, they get to point to dumb lies like this and say, "see!! even the democrat senators agree with us: our power is at its apex."
He (along with most of his colleagues apparently) has none because they’re either utterly ignorant of how their own government works, or blatantly lying.
As per an actual fedgov employee, RIFs cannot be used during a shutdown:
Either you are stupid or you truly believe we are stupid. Stop making excuses. This is complete bullshit. Lying president, lying GOP, lying Dems. We’ll
Be sure to primary all your sorry seats asap.
I was so honored to vote for you after having only Texas senators for decades, but this abdication of responsibility at the expense of our democracy is a crushing betrayal.
Senator: You seem like a nice guy who just doesn’t understand how the world has changed. I recommend stepping down honorably and allowing someone who has a fucking clue to lead.
You are describing how the GOOP laid a trap for your colleagues that they fell into. When all options are bad, you still have agency to not vote for a bad bill, in fact that is the only power you have. Relinquishing power may be good for the government, but it 100% removes you Dems as contenders.
If you will vote for anything to avert a shutdown even if NOTHING is conceded then what is the point of even saying you’re against Trump. Useless cowards unwilling to use their ONE piece of leverage to get something.
So they can jam you with anything and you’ll vote for it to avoid a shutdown? They are already laughing at you and view this as a blueprint for future budget/debt ceiling “negotiations”
Congress has abdicated its power already. Trump is acting as if he already is at the “apex” of his powers and then some. This is all just utter bollocks to defend collaboration.
Under the legal framework of Justice Jackson's Youngstown concurrence, the opposite is likely to be true. What would the Roberts Court call Congress passing this budget in the midst of Trump's rampant devastation and malice if not at least an *implied* grant of approval?
Senator, the fault of this reasoning might be more apparent if you applied it to literally *any other* lawless, authoritarian regime. "Technically, legally, they will have more power if we defund them. Therefore, we have no choice but to enact the Nazi budget into law and hope for the best."
They were literally celebrating what the colleagues you're defending did. They passed everything they wanted. There is no way you can spin that into a win.
This is unadulterated BS. If they really would "love" a shutdown, then why were they pushing so hard to pass the bill? I mean, they could have told all R's to vote against it and get their shutdown, right? You're gaslighting us.
no, he didn't. His argument is that Trump and Musk would love a shutdown. So why did Trump and Musk push so hard to get R's to pass the CR? If they would love a shutdown, then why wouldn't they direct the R's to fail to pass the CR? It doesn't make any sense.
@whitehouse.senate.gov If Trump/Musk/Vought would have loved a shut down why were they happy Senate Democrats rolled over sans fight? It's hard to tell if you guys are just cowards desperately hoping someone else saves you or if you've really galaxy-brained yourselves into thinking you're geniuses
If that's what they wanted they could have easily told a couple more Rs to come up with reasons to vote against the CR. It still would have been the Ds voting overwhelmingly against it
yes, but that's a different situation. the Rs can't agree on it means it's their problem. once they were in unison, it's no longer their issue. this is all strange because of the lopsided nature of the filibuster
They are currently ignoring separation of powers and the rule of law.
Can you detail why you think extending the budget was a viable option to save anything?
It didn't work and it probably lost you at least 10 more percentage points in satisfaction of leadership.
In Dec you all re-elected a leader who showed himself incapable for years to oppose & stop MAGA. To choose collaboration. Hindenburg also tried this tactic.
Whoever did not vote for Schumer are ones who get the battle they are in to defend all built over 80 years.
Well, the GOP knows you all fold like a cheap trump suit from Kmart,so they're gonna do this for everything and get the @democrats.org to consent to the MAGAifcation of America and Musk/Trump's Cryptostate.
All respect is lost for those who caved in and voted in favour! They will have contributed to the further destruction of our democracy and the damage Donald and Elon are wreaking. Weak and unconscionable!
But…who is going to fight against the Project 2025 shut down? The Orange Reich is shutting down the government one department at a time with or without a CR. Trump is at his apex now and he doesn’t care what Congress does.
You’re right - both options are bad, except a no vote stood up to fascism
What is alarming is we really don’t know Schumer intentions? Was it a bad decision? Or did he sell us out? One is bad, the other is worse, (and unredeemable.) Either way.. Schumer has lit his political pyre.
Again, another Dem Senator who is incapable (or maybe it's just UNWILLING) to 'read the room' and stand up vs maga/trump/musk. Whitehouse is just another who supports the 'good ole' boy network: see if confirmation votes of YES on Rubio (wtf?) and Jamieson Greer.
"Hey Senator Whitehouse I just want to let you know that I'm here to puff out my chest and show my bonifides for being a super-duty resistor and so I'm going to ignore the fact that you voted against the bill and that you voted against cloture and I'm going to act like you're the problem." -- Most
I mean even after everyone told you it was a bad idea, we're doing a mass mobilization because you all are such weak sauce, you're going to go back and defend this Vichy shit?
To his credit, Sheldon offers coherent explanation for why some of his colleagues voted for Republican CR. But these excuses are too little too late. Dems looked weak. Surrendering without gaining concessions. No discernible strategy. And after 24 hours his post gains just a handful of “likes.”
Whenever Schumer speaks I cringe. I just read his interview with the NYT. It was so obtuse and narcissistic. He needs to be voted out of leadership. Or whatever it takes to get him to resign.
Nope, no respect. If your vote was sincere and not theater then you should be pissed at the 10 who essentially vetoed the will of the rest of the caucus.
@whitehouse.senate.gov I heard you give your semi-impassioned speech to the finance committee about how a certain Treasury nominee won't do anything about the climate crisis
What Schumer and the capitulation caucus voted for is to pay Trump and Musk with taxpayer money to bury our heads in the sand
How do we know this? He just purported to dissolve seven more agencies, including Voice of America, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Minority Business Development Agency. Also gone are the leases for CO2 monitoring. Keeping the government open hasn't stopped his wrecking spree
And if what you say is true, that the executive has the most power in an emergency, this administration which purports new emergencies incessantly to justify their actions, would have just veto'd the bill
When you could have withheld UC for all of this, at least to throw sand in the gears by disrupting opponent schedules and grinding their days to a halt
No, you've decided to carry so much water that we can't even tell if you voted No only as performance
Lots of words to say “my colleagues capitulated to the fascists in advance, and I respect colleagues that don’t want to fight for their constituents.” 🤮
None. You guys (talking to the Senators) got absolutely nothing. If you couldn't get anything, then you hold the enemy off for as long as you can. Make legislating anything hell. Do what Mitch McConnell did to Obama. Instead you caved, and you signal to the enemy that you'll also cave next time.
I was disappointed this morning when you didn’t fully explain all this on ABC’s This Week. I appreciate your doing so here. I admire you & wanted to know why you voted No on cloture.
Dems are still living in an alternate reality where Trump respects court orders. Do you honestly think he won't bend the govt to his will with or w/o the CR? We're already in a constitutional crisis, and the Dems' failure to realize that and disrupt Trump in any meaningful way is a fucking disgrace.
Sorry Senator, I call BULLSHIT. There is literally ZERO fight from Schumer and Dems and there are ZERO good faith republicans EVER, to do the right thing. Wake up. You and the rest of your caucus are delusional if you believe otherwise. MAKE. A. STAND. Come up with a plan. What are you waiting for?
It is pretty obvious to anyone with 2 brain cells that you and your colleagues divvied up the yes and no votes based on electoral politics. You didn’t even try to put up a fight.
Good for Senator Whitehouse, but the problem is that leadership, Chuck Shumer, is not making these points. They just say they will "fight fight fight" and then do literally nothing. It feels week and ineffectual and ruins voter moral and engagement.
This is an extraordinarily thoughtful thread. What might help is more transparency ahead of the decisions. Not to telegraph exactly the plan, but to provide more clarity on the thinking process. Otherwise, too many people are prone to jump on bad punditry/press based on anon sources and gossip.🍸
Just 10 members (20% of the Senate Dem Conference) can call for a meeting of the conference to vote on whether and who shall replace Schumer as Conference Chair and Democratic Leader.
Well, all your research was in vain. trump and bondi are actively ignoring court orders. Not only ignoring them but mocking them. So tell us again how voting for his bill so the courts can stop him puts ANY restraints on him at all. You old men need to get out of the way. 🙄
But you voted for their other fascist bs and nominees. The gop wants us to roll over and aquiese...and you do too Richie Rich? Fuck all the way off and then resign. Let someone who actually knows how to fight take your wussy ass place and fucking bite me.
Senator Whitehouse, respectfully, a little less "this is why everything is so complicated and we can't possibly know what to do" and a little more "we will fuck these fuckers up because everything they are doing is evil"
All I see here is a massive word salad to try & justify what your colleagues did! They sold us out, backstabbed the House Dems & you are respecting them for that? Resign & take those 10 with you. We have had enough of Dems screwing us over. What did Schumer get in exchange? He flipped so fast!
One it’s a fucking Republican continuing resolution. You go on to ramble about tough choices and the House had it easy but can’t even fucking call the people doing this to our country by their actual name. Grow a fucking a spine.
Bullshit. You could have denied unanimity for the cloture vote. You're as complicit as the ones who voted "yes". 50 years from now your descendants will cringe at the blood connection and apologize for you.
signed, small-c conservative resistlib wine mom who's voted straight blue since 2002
This was the moment to take a stand, to keep the fight in the news, to try to break through the media’s gloss that everything happening is within normal legal bounds. But instead you tell us to wait till 2026 elections. All the worst things you claim a shutdown would cause will have happened by then
Have you considered retiring? Maybe you’re just a rich guy that likes being called a senator and not someone who’s trying to help. ‘Cause it seems like you don’t care enough.
Thank you for voting no. I respect your opinion on the 10, however I will not be donating any money to the Democratic Party until Schumer isn’t in a leadership position anymore. We want a fight and he’s not up to it.
it's wasn't an 11th hour change of heart. This was his deal all along - I'll give most of you cover to vote 'no' but you need to have my back. Whitehouse is clearly showing he has Schumer's back here.
whitehouse is my rep…it’s pretty clear to me he was reluctant to vote for the shutdown and it’s pretty clear from watching his latest national interview that he going to bat for schumer. there’s no source to prove the vote was an inside job, but from watching it, that seems the most likely to me
Maybe senate minority leaders shouldnt be shlepping books. Nor should the house minority leader. Let’s start there. Profiting while our country goes up in flames
It is lost unless they don’t ask the people themselves to revolt.
J6 nearly toppled the gov and they were driven by utter bullshit.
Now we’re facing a very real existential threat, with hardly any safeguards, and the vast majority of people stay in denial and think a handful of Dems will fix this?
Also, why did every Democratic Senator give unanimous consent for votes on every Trump nominee? You could have at least dragged it out and made a point about who each of Trump's people were. Were your three-day weekends and trips to Munich more important than Trump's picks?
Why give unanimous consent to express-train the vote? A short shutdown wouldn't have been particularly damaging by comparison to what is already happening?
Your words would mean a lot more if we didn't have eyes and ears capable of listening to the horseshit that your leader spilled defending the decision.
If the goal of the cr was further this admins determination to shut down most fed departs, why didn't the Rs simply go all out with their cr to assure no Ds would vote for it?
Sheldon, you are being a bit disingenuous here. Of course a shutdown would be bad. That is not the issue. The argument you are missing is that Dems should not be wimps who ask for nothing. At least ask for no defunding of the DC police, no additional tariff powers for Trump, etc. Did you do that?
Senate Democrats just don't get it or maybe you're too weak to make hard choices. As much as I despise Mitch McConnell, he would have let the government shutdown, tell FoxNews to blame the Democrats then gone on vacation.
Schumer is not equipped to lead the opposition party. Remove him now!
Thank you @whitehouse.senate.gov We need to take the fight outside the party and stand together. Republicans always stick and vote together no matter how batshit crazy it is.
Senator, and I say this without one iota of respect, if a shutdown would have benefited the GOP, why did they vote in lockstep against it? What benefits them is the government shutdown they were currently doing, illegally, until 10 of your colleagues voted to legalize it.
I think the way to reunite the party is through new leadership. It needs to happen as soon as possible. I know Schumer has more pressing things this week, but this should not fester.
Anyone who voted, yes, is complicit with all that is happening now.
Durbin can not take over.
You voted against it but not enough to shut down the government for a few days by denying unanimous consent. The entire operation appears to have been choreographed for a subset of Senators to take the hit
Senator, you were right in voting against the destructive CR, but you're wrong in defending the cowardice and capitulation of your Senate colleagues. It was important economically, legally, and symbolically to block passage of this CR and demand a clean version, even if this resulted in a shutdown.
Yes, these senators lie to us constantly. They make us BEG to know which way they will be voting on bills. They think they owe their constituents nothing, not respect, not honestly, not town halls or other venues, not even voicemail boxes that work, or staff that people can even get ahold of.
I’m slightly less disturbed that he voted yes (some of his arguments made sense) then how he misled l House Democrats, especially those in swing districts.
It’s probably bad policy, and definitely bad politics
That’s right. Calls for his removal are coming not just from those of us who see him as feckless, but those of us who see him as an untrustworthy leader.
I thought Schumer’s explanation in the Times was acceptable. It would have given Russell Vought and Musk the power to decide what to cut and eliminate during a shutdown which could have lasted a month or three or six. We just don’t know and does seem a shutdown would be bad for Democracy.
They could have denied unanimous consent for the vote and dragged it out to get some press on what the vote meant instead of putting it on an express path to passage. Trump doesn't gain additional powers until the money runs out. Schumer doing it in a stealth manner which made it a betrayal.
But also, any Democratic Senator could have denied consent but they chose not to. One case where doing something for "party unity" just makes it worse.
Agreed. Also, Schumer’s game plan is to wait for Trumps numbers to get to 40 and then more Republicans will defect.
Apparently, Schumer is oblivious to the current state of emergency in America.
So, you trust Schumer + 9 other Senators were right and all other Democrats, in both chambers, were wrong. Also, Trump wanting this CR to pass so badly wasn’t hint that maybe it was worse option?
So who bought out Schumer and I would think Gillibrand she has sold us out before as well. What’s going on in New York? First it was The governor in 2021, Then screwed us with the house in 2022. The NYC Mayor and now their senators.
Call it: my lack of trust in our politicians, if you will; but I think there is more than what is meeting our eyes right now in this. In less than 24 hours Chuck Schumer flipped.
I am compelled to ask: in between who talked to him, who did he talked to & what was discussed and agreed upon?
The sudden change suggests some coercive measures were employed - threats or possibly some past sin leveraged against him?
Dirty tricks are stock in trade for the GOP.
Sometimes with these guys, it’s like they’ve been body snatched or brain transplant or something. Just all of a sudden they switch sides and act like they’ve always been that way.
Well, from the standpoint of your average concerned citizen, it looks a lot like capitulation. Things are bad. They're not going to get better with this CR, this much we know.
Your base is mad, you must listen to us instead of lecturing us as to why we’re wrong. You are working for us, not the other way around. And if we’re still mad at election time, you will be replaced. Anger is not just for Republican primary voters.
Please fight the fascist musk/trump regime in their assault on our wonderful libraries and museums. I feel it’s because they are FREE and they offer unlimited access to knowledge. But they are also safe spaces when needed. AND THEY ARE NEEDED. 🙏
It’s not that simple… they agreed on who those 10 would be because they’re in blue districts and not running for reelection in 2026… so because those 10 voted yes, the rest could afford to vote no with zero change to the outcome. The only person whose position we actually know is Schumer.
Like you said, unification for the win. The Dem majority was a no, the rest should have unified and been nos too. Instead they chose to unify with the Republicans.
you voted against it as cover to say you voted against it, symbolically, but you're making it clear: if the whip count NEEDED you to vote for it, you would. That kind of calculus is the old way of business. We're fighting fascism now. We need Churchills, not Chamberlains.
We gave your caucus your marching orders and you first tried to hoodwink us, then betrayed us. Schumer must go, along with any other Dem who voted along with him.
None of you have clean hands in this. Any one of you, if you actually believed 'forcing the issue' was in the best interests of our democracy, could have denied unanimous consent and given us more time to pressure the recalcitrant. None of you did. Replace Schumer or we will replace you.
Bullshit. The entire rest of your thread makes it clear you wanted it to pass meaning you couldn’t actually want to vote against it. You just knew you safely could because 10 others wouldn’t. And thought that would trick people into thinking you were against it.
Not convincing. They’re already doing it. The CR isn’t clean and gives doge the cover of legality to dismantle anyway. Schumer politics like someone in decades past. This will require confrontation in the streets. Dems won’t save us. Only we will.
Attention. We need attention to be on what is happening. Now Trump is claiming bipartisanship. They should have forced the Republicans to end the filibuster at the least.
I fear the more time electeds spend playing by the rules and expecting the system to miraculously work, the more time the MAGA regime—GOP senators included, regardless of what they tell Chuck in the gym—will have to lay groundwork to suppress large scale protest. Which is the only real bulwark.
So let me see if I understand. Schumer needed 9 volunteers with safe blue seats who aren’t up for reelection for a while to advance the CR. So you weren’t on that list and got to vote no, but sympathize with those Vichy Dems who got tapped for a yes on the CR. Hope you have a backup career option.
You shouldn’t respect it. Your “leader” had that EdOp shopped out while still stringing the caucus along with games, and all because he seems to believe that politics is what it was 20 years ago. Instead, look at all the lawyers asking “why is congress sitting” and consider what that might mean.
We will not be United until @chuckschumer.com steps down and @johnfetterman.com learns his place. In fact, I'd venture to say many Democrats would be happy to see him kicked out of the Senate Democratic caucus we don't need him in the caucus we don't need him there once we're back in power. Bye!
You still don’t understand we’re dealing with an authoritarian regime. Think Belarus or Hungary. This is not a democracy with two similar political parties anymore. Stop wasting time and lead.
The government has been operating with reduced workforce for years. I believe a shutdown would have been better in the long term to hold the line. 🤷🏻♀️
Oh, give me a break. There was a request for unanimous consent before the vote that had you or any other spineless Democrat objected to would have doomed the CR. By not objecting and therefore letting the vote happen you are just as guilty. I will be voting for anyone who primaries you or Sen. Reed.
Do you support removing Senator Schumer from his leadership position? Your party folded like a cheap goddamn suit! Stop fucking pontificating and start acting. Trump is informing court orders, LIKE WE SAID HE WOULD!
Not totally. Reread. I wanted no votes. Called my senators. But the reality of Trump's taking advantage of a shutdown is horrifying. It was a no-win situation, but after reading that explaination I think it was the best outcome. Schumer still owed us something better than he provided.
You know who else knows the brutal reality of what a shutdown would entail? Federal workers. And their union wanted Dems to vote against cloture. Dems spit in their eyes
I get why they're upset. I sure was. It did seem weak.
I just wish someone had taken the time to explain the two outcomes before the vote. It would have really helped. If you think FOTUS is out of control now, imagine him going totally wild during a shutdown. Nightmare fuel.
Also! If the shutdown provided some magic far reaching legal powers to the president like Sheldon here is suggesting, why wouldn’t Trump and Elon want that?
Whitehouse’s whole argument hinges on the horror of the shutdown being that the executive branch could shut down whole parts of the government. Doge is currently doing that and the cr they passed fucking codifies it. He’s lying his ass off!
Every time it looks like Democrats might actually make some progress there’s always a Joe Manchin or a John Fetterman to sabotage it and all you other Democrats get to look like you tried. Stop pretending you aren’t all fine with this. Otherwise you would put pressure on these Senators and unify
Of course there’s no possibly of progress NOW. And that’s even more reason that Democrats shouldn’t vote for ANY of this bullshit.
We wouldn’t be in this situation if Democrats hadn’t constantly shot themselves, and us, in the foot.
This thread is a joke, and makes me think that maybe you don’t understand the Constitution at all.
You did right by voting against the CR. I wish all your colleagues had. Now, don’t debase yourself by trying to provide cover for your colleagues who blew it.
☝🏻This @whitehouse.senate.gov! Your statement is as big of a joke as @schiff.senate.gov that he’s working with Gillibrand on getting Medicaid back—AFTER SHE just voted to gut it! You are ALL proving NONE of you can be trusted so it’s ZERO $ to ANY Dem UNTIL Schumer is replaced with a true fighter. 🤬
Sorry, Senator! We need someone we can root for, not just against. Schumer gave these guys cover and DID NOT put up a fight! I guess, he was in a hurry for his PAID attendance book signing tour! We need a fighter! This is not fighting!
Senate Dems gave up the only piece of leverage they had in exchange for embarrassment. I hope everyone who voted for cloture gets a form of cancer that had research into treatment cut by this administration.
Hey, why did it take you guys getting caught kayfabing to put forth this magical "nuanced" thinking that is absolutely undercut by the way Republicans voted?
Weird how if Trump had really wanted the shutdown he could have just told the GOP house that the CR was bad and none of them would have voted for it. Makes it seem like you got fucking played.
You can rationalize this horseshit all you want but a significant number of formers Dems have realized that you’re running a scam on us. You get to make the “good” vote while being sure your gravy train stays on the rails.
It’s long past time for new blood, or better yet, a new party.
I think the great frustration from those complaining in good faith about the admittedly Sophie's choice position Senate Dems found themselves in isn't any member's choice itself, but the messaging and strategy that found the caucus in such a position, and the lack of clear communication w/the House.
nope, no respect given to the yes voters. you can’t spend the entire last election cycle saying how our democracy is in danger and that you’re going to fight for the people and then turn around and side with the fascists. nah, fuck that.
So you’re circling the wagons to protect your deceptive, maga supporting “leadership”. We have no reason to trust any of you anymore, but hey, since when did DC Dems give a shit about what your voters think? Fuck you all.
While I appreciate you Senator, it seems to most right now that Dems are so busy playing politics with rules the opponent doesnt abide by that they are failing to realize the demoralizing effect it's having on the base. Considering the scale of this crisis we face, we expect y'all to have the fights
Sorry Senator, you senior Senate Democrats are living in a world that simply doesn’t exist. It’s not 1981 and it’s not 2009 and it’s not even 2017.
Your addiction to norms and your lack of fight will doom us to authoritarian rule.
“Jock-a-moe fee-no ai na-hey
Jock-a-moe fee na-ey”
The time for this kind of explaining was really before the vote occurred, Senator. Reading the room, it doesn't appear as if "we" are arguing amongst ourselves. "We" (the people) seem pretty unified. "We" are arguing against you, the Democratic establishment. Last I checked, you work for us and
If trump and musk wanted a shutdown they could've had it easily. Instead they went for a cr bill to avoid one. So apparently they wanted that cr bill over a shutdown.
While I understand the argument you’re putting forth, optically the Democratic Party looks disunited and without a plan. Schumer should have told Jeffries about his ultimate plan instead of pretending to be a “no” vote until the day before. It’s dishonest, and Schumer needs to be replaced as leader.
Durbin is one of my Senators. He’s in his 80s. Not sure he’s running again next year. Something tells me Schumer talked him into it to make sure they had enough votes. That being said, not a great way to go out after a pretty good career.
I am now a registered independent until Schumer resigns nor will you get a penny from me. Schumer’s appearance on Hayes was an embarrassment — a feckless old man secure in his $80+ mil at the mercy of his Wall Street donors. He sounded enfeebled and out of touch. A symbol of the party. I’m out.
Comments
OkSchumer is a dismissive phrase used to criticize the opinions, ideas or cowardice of an elected official.
Origins are when US Senator Chuck Schumer serving as the minority leader failed to serve the Nation during dire circumstances. Instead he chose to give into fascism
fantastic! you really outfoxed the GOP this time!
Can you not see how it is all demoralizing? You need to at least be there rn.
And Trump thanked Schumer to manipulate the party into turning on each other, which is exactly what happened.
absolutely fucking dark fucking day mate, you should resign too with the other 10
Next!
They are already doing it. The White House has ignored a federal court order. They're already doing the things you're saying, Senator.
Your charity and compliance buys you nothing.
Every ounce of power you cede to Trump is one step closer to him invading my home and killing me and my neighbours.
And if you really believe this and Dems will never allow a shutdown, then what will stop Republicans from rolling over Dems during the next round of approps negotiations? You are giving away leverage.
Stop capitulating. Stop playing nice and playing by norms and rules that don’t apply anymore. Take a hint from the GOP opposition and say NO to EVERYTHING.
hours after democrats gave trump what he wanted he shut down another federal agency! your rationale for this decision is incoherent!
Grow up and smarten up. MAGA is their branding. It’s their preferred branding. Leads most to think of Trump and a few bad Republicans when it’s ALL Republicans. Stop providing cover for them and helping them avoid accountability.
#spineless
“If this doesn’t pass they might shut down the department of education!”
We are led by idiots.
OH REALLY? Well, the government IS currently open and Trump is openly VIOLATING COURT ORDERS.
How TF will "keeping the government open" stop him.
Those 20 traitors have ceded this country for "decorum"
The Executive doesn't decide which courts to close. And you know this ("with Roberts' blessing").
So don't try to bamboozle us about it.
AND Congress gave Trump carte blanche in terms of spending! Good colleagues or not, NOTHING was averted by their timidity.
THIS!
Sokath! His eyes uncovered!!!
Maybe if we keep saying this, the idea will sink in:
if we were in shutdown right now, Dems would have zero leverage to negotiate for any terms to end the shutdown!!
If you believed this before the vote, it was ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to explain all this *succinctly* (ie: not 13 skeets) before the vote.
We expect leadership and we expect a g.d. FIGHT. We know Dems are the minority. But you don't have to be WIMPS.
There would be no negotiation under the Emergency Powers Act. It would move us faster into a dictatorship hellscape with no hope of recourse.
If you don't, we will replace all of you.
Trump did not veto the bill.
Therefore, Trump does not want a shutdown.
Your argument is nonsense.
This is disqualifying, and you need to be out of office by Monday at 5 pm. Resign in disgrace.
You're doing this because you think defending Schumer will make you Judiciary Chair. You and Brian Schatz are greedy fools.
Woof.
He is currently getting the blame for the disaster he has caused since JAN 20, and he will continue to get the blame. D's gave him what he wanted, so it's on him.
Both of these parties need to be burned to the effing ground so we can start over with *functional* ones.
Obviously executive powers aren't at their apex when the executive branch can't issue checks
Here is the problem. Republicans effectively stall and stop everything democrats try and do when they are in the minority. Democrats on the other hand post shit on social media and that’s it.
People are like looking for action not fake outrage
Now to sit back and google your voting record for Trump nominees while I take a BIG sip of water.
Get rid of @schumer.senate.gov
Different times call for different leaders & different tactics
A lie, even
As per an actual fedgov employee, RIFs cannot be used during a shutdown:
Be sure to primary all your sorry seats asap.
Did you bother to read his posts defending Schumer, gaslighting us?
I can't tell if you're more stupid or dishonest.
You could have held the senate floor for hours at least and forced the media to cover what Trump and musk are doing.
You didn’t. You went home
I can't figure out why we shouldn't abandon the party en masse. There's no quick fix to 4 years of Trump-Musk anyway. Have to build a better option.
Go.
Fuck.
Yourself.
non-intelligent.
Therefore, not doing a good job.
Creating disharmony in Government.
🔥 "them"
So what happens in Sept when they attach a National Abortion Ban?
Or a fugitive act making it a federal crime to cross state lines for reproductive or gender affirming care.
Within 24 hours he declared himself the head of the DoJ. That seems far worse for Democracy & Democrats. Like making elections illegal -kind of worse.
Patrick Henry said "Give me Liberty or Give me Death!"
The calculus wouldn't change meaningfully if 2 more Rs had some convenient crisis of conscience
Don’t fall for it.
You seem to be trying to push that lower.
Can you detail why you think extending the budget was a viable option to save anything?
It didn't work and it probably lost you at least 10 more percentage points in satisfaction of leadership.
You should get rid of Schumer
Whoever did not vote for Schumer are ones who get the battle they are in to defend all built over 80 years.
Time for change or a third party
So keep making excuses and all that.
You’re right - both options are bad, except a no vote stood up to fascism
YOU CAN'T BE A LITTLE BIT FASCIST
1️⃣Oust Schumer
2️⃣ Remove everyone who voted for the CR from their committees
And now:
3️⃣Remove everyone who is defending that vote from their committees.
If you have such poor judgement and are ignoring the reaction, you need to be out of power
https://www.change.org/p/boycott-contributions-to-senate-democrats-until-chuck-schumer-steps-down/psf/promote_or_share?allow_actions=true&utm_campaign=psf
He is not fit to lead.
They are not. They are cowards.
McConnell used the filibuster and got what he wanted because the Dems have no spine.
The GOP knew the Dems would fold like a house of cards because it is what we always do.
I'm sick of it.
What Schumer and the capitulation caucus voted for is to pay Trump and Musk with taxpayer money to bury our heads in the sand
Instead, he signed it
No, you've decided to carry so much water that we can't even tell if you voted No only as performance
At least Senator Paul stabs in the front
However, anyone’s consent for this bill is 100% unacceptable.
Trump and the GOP’s behavior is on them. They own their own actions and that abominable bill.
You can only control yourself. Democrats vote for this bill was agreement, consent and surrender-And it’s not OK.
Thank you.
His explanation -
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/opinion/trump-musk-shutdown-senate.html
Just 10 members (20% of the Senate Dem Conference) can call for a meeting of the conference to vote on whether and who shall replace Schumer as Conference Chair and Democratic Leader.
https://download.aaslh.org/Legislative+Director+Contacts+2024.04.pdf
Two, #OkSchumer
And they are already doing EVERYTHING you are fear thumping about. Literally, they have already defied the courts and ignored their rulings
And what have you done? Voted in their picks.
signed, small-c conservative resistlib wine mom who's voted straight blue since 2002
your colleagues did “cave in”, they handed the country to Trump.
It’s a terrible bill, and a terrible situation. But it’s also quite real. (And quit using the enemy’s language.)
Schumer’s 11th-hour change of heart was a horrible unforced error, & he seems incapable of self-reflection.
Now that the Trump admin is openly ignoring the courts, what the hell are you going to do?
All I heard was “Democrats are going to keep fighting” without a specific battle plan.
And from what I understand, the dirty CR takes options off the table…
J6 nearly toppled the gov and they were driven by utter bullshit.
Now we’re facing a very real existential threat, with hardly any safeguards, and the vast majority of people stay in denial and think a handful of Dems will fix this?
Maybe they got the idea from the film gaslight, did the research, found a corrupt nazi media mogul, and started the 50 year coup.
There are ten traitors that collaborated with the GOP failed their country and party. Never forgotten. Never forgiven.
🔴Schumer
🔴Fetterman
🔴Cortez Masto
🔴Durbin
🔴King
🔴Shaheen
🔴Gillibrand
🔴Schatz
🔴Hassan
🔴Peters
Chuck Schumer gave you cover to write this thread.
Schumer is not equipped to lead the opposition party. Remove him now!
Anyone who voted, yes, is complicit with all that is happening now.
Durbin can not take over.
if you won't honor your oath to defend the United States Constitution then resign and give way to someone who will
The NYT op ed explaining his vote FOR the CR had to be written and submitted ahead of time.
He knew he would vote yes.
The Democratic party needs leadership that knows how to lead an opposition party.
Democrats who demand our leaders prioritize the fight to save democracy!
Chuck Schumer must step down.
It’s probably bad policy, and definitely bad politics
same same.
Stop citizens united and Congress from stock speculation cause that’s who their real constituents are. It’s the money.
Apparently, Schumer is oblivious to the current state of emergency in America.
House Democrats were completely stunned.
It also doesn't explain why the day before, he said publicly that Senate Dems were a united No on the CR.
I am compelled to ask: in between who talked to him, who did he talked to & what was discussed and agreed upon?
Dirty tricks are stock in trade for the GOP.
#StepDownChuck
The Reformers
The fuckmess of a shutdown is only distinguishable from the fuckmess of the *CR by the time-scale of damage & anger in the Dem party & fed union.
Should've cut the🪢 let his 🐎 stampede & harnessed the dissatisfaction instead of hitching our wagon to corrupt power to save the Dow.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-tech/2022/02/22/lawmakers-family-connections-to-tech-spur-scrutiny-00010468
"Pecunia non olet." Don't you agree, Sen Whitehouse?
https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/438989/Michael_Shapiro.html
last week, I felt like you all - that Schumer was doing the wrong thing
since then, I have read more and it isn't clear that what Schumer did was wrong; see links in reply
yrs
https://www.progresspond.com/2025/03/14/fury-about-the-continuing-resolution-is-misplaced/
@needmoreclones.bsky.social @hahnyock.bsky.social
I don't know if that is true or not, but it seems to have some merit, so Schumer had a good faith reason for what he did
Where are you in that?
I just wish someone had taken the time to explain the two outcomes before the vote. It would have really helped. If you think FOTUS is out of control now, imagine him going totally wild during a shutdown. Nightmare fuel.
We wouldn’t be in this situation if Democrats hadn’t constantly shot themselves, and us, in the foot.
Why didn't you walk out with Rep Al Green when he was escorted out of the House chamber?
You did right by voting against the CR. I wish all your colleagues had. Now, don’t debase yourself by trying to provide cover for your colleagues who blew it.
Hey, why did it take you guys getting caught kayfabing to put forth this magical "nuanced" thinking that is absolutely undercut by the way Republicans voted?
boooooooooo
we hate this
boooooooooooooo
It’s long past time for new blood, or better yet, a new party.
Share & add your name below to one-click email EVERY @democrats.senate.gov U.S. Senator to tell them we demand CHANGE!
#Resist #Democrats #TrueBlue #BlueCrew #Indivisible #UnitedBlueStormArmy #ProudBlue
https://win.newmode.net/newprogressiveera/timeforanewsenatedemocraticleader
Your addiction to norms and your lack of fight will doom us to authoritarian rule.
“Jock-a-moe fee-no ai na-hey
Jock-a-moe fee na-ey”
Now we're gonna primary you too.
No, we won't forget them. And, no, we won't forget those who respect their decisions to stab 65% of Americans in the back.
Chuck Schumer needs to go
now