A Democratic blockade of the bill and the ensuing chaos of the entire US government temporarily being out of funds would be “a gift” to Trump, he said.
Many senior Democrats were furious at Schumer but early Friday, Trump signaled his pleasure at the climbdown.
“Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took “guts” and courage!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Among those incensed by Schumer’s decision was former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who issued a pointed statement Friday in apparent defiance of the Senate minority leader, calling the vote “a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on … working families across America”.
“Let’s be clear: neither is a good option for the American people. But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable”.
The backlash also prompted dozens of protesters to gather outside Schumer’s residence in Brooklyn, New York, calling on him to vote against the resolution.
Schumer has been joined by Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senator John Fetterman. However, Schumer has not explicitly told his troops which way to vote, leaving it unclear whether enough Democrats will join Republicans.
