Government Shutdown Begins as Senate Deadlocks on Funding Bills
On Wednesday, the first day of a partial government shutdown, the U.S. Senate once again failed to pass key funding measures, mirroring Tuesday’s stalled votes.
Senate Democrats blocked the House-passed “clean” continuing resolution, a measure that required 60 votes to advance but fell short, 55-45. Among those breaking ranks with their party, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, supported the GOP-backed funding plan.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is facing mounting criticism from both sides of the aisle for refusing to back a clean bill that would have kept the government funded into November. While Republicans predictably oppose him, Schumer is also under fire from segments of his own party and parts of the media that are usually sympathetic.
Three Senate Democrats joined most Republicans late Tuesday to support the stopgap funding measure, yet responsibility for the shutdown remains a point of contention.
Tensions within the Democratic Party’s left wing are palpable. Many remain furious at Schumer for providing crucial Democratic votes in March to avert a shutdown. This time, in a bid to appease his party’s progressive base, Schumer allowed the shutdown — prompting Republicans to dub the current impasse the “Schumer Shutdown,” a label that is rapidly gaining traction.
Political observers note that Schumer’s moves may be driven as much by personal strategy as party loyalty. Rumors swirl that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) could challenge him in a 2028 primary, adding pressure from the left. Critics argue that the decision to let the shutdown unfold is seen less as governance and more as a bid for political survival.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) accused Schumer of prioritizing his political future over national interests. “He is answering to his far-left base, who are demanding that he shut this government down. Step by step, he’s engineered this,” Marshall told Newsmax.
Marshall emphasized the political consequences of Schumer’s stance. “What his base doesn’t realize is that they lost the election. All we asked was to continue funding at the levels they chose, but instead, they want an additional $1.5 trillion. Chuck Schumer owns this,” he said.
He further characterized the shutdown as politically motivated theater. “The left’s hatred for Donald Trump is so strong they are willing to shut down the government at the expense of the American people,” Marshall said on the Greg Kelly Show. “I hope the shutdown is short and responsible spending returns. That’s our goal — keep the government open while managing finances responsibly.”
Marshall speculated that Schumer’s plan may involve prolonging the shutdown for dramatic effect. “He may keep the government closed over the weekend to appease his base and then act next week before paychecks are missed. He loves the camera,” he said. “At the end of the day, the American public knows this shutdown rests squarely on Chuck Schumer’s shoulders.”
