Senate Democrats in Disarray as Government Shutdown Looms

Senate Democrats are showing signs of cracking under pressure as the deadline for a government shutdown rapidly approaches. After House Republicans successfully pushed through a continuing resolution (CR) with a 217-213 vote, Senate Democrats are scrambling to figure out what they're going to do about it.

And boy, do they look lost.

An anonymous Democratic senator admitted what we've all suspected about their leadership: "The conversation today was divided. I can't say we have a strategy." Shocking, right? The party that claims to have all the answers can't even decide how to vote on keeping the government's lights on.

Republicans need at least eight Democratic senators to support the CR for it to pass, due to the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold. Following their caucus meeting on Tuesday, some Democrats appear ready to concede, while others remain undecided.

The most entertaining part of this whole debacle is watching the Democrats twist themselves into pretzels trying to justify their positions. Take Washington Sen. Patty Murray's melodramatic declaration: "Make no mistake: The entire bill the House is voting on today is House Republicans' own doing — and it is a dumpster fire."

Yet these same Democrats might end up voting for this supposed "dumpster fire" because they have no better alternative. Not supporting will result in a government shutdown.

Even Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is breaking ranks with his party's resistance. "I'm not going to vote or withhold my vote that's going to shut down the government," he stated, showing rare common sense for a Democrat.

"We haven't made a final decision,” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said. “We're still talking about it."

The reality is simple: The House Republicans have presented the only viable solution to prevent a government shutdown. The Democrats can either get on board or explain to the American people why they chose political theater over keeping the government functioning.

Funding the government is typically bipartisan, but Democrats oppose the measure, but, as I pointed out at PJ Media, some believe that Democrats want the government to shutdown because it would stop the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) dead in its tracks. Of course, there are apparently some Democrats who are worried about Elon Musk’s efforts with DOGE potentially benefiting from a shutdown, too. Independent Senator Angus King is pushing this conspiracy theory, warning about Musk somehow using a shutdown to force federal worker retirements. "This isn't normal," King declares—rehashing another meaningless talking point..

However, as CBS News noted, “Democrats aren't generally inclined to let the government shut down, either.”

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has also pledged to oppose the measure, making support from at least eight Democrats necessary to pass the measure and send it to the president's desk. That Democratic support could come from senators who represent states that President Trump won in November, who face added pressure to work across party lines.

Sen. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, told CBS News on Tuesday that he hadn't made a decision on whether to support the continuing resolution, and said he's working to determine "what's the best for Arizona." And Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, outlined the difficult choice for Democrats, who he said are "choosing between awful and terrible."

"I think this bill is bad, I think a government shutdown is bad," Warnock said.

Senate Democrats are set to meet Wednesday to discuss the next steps. After leaving a caucus meeting ahead of Tuesday’s House vote, senators were tight-lipped about their plans.

With eight Democratic senators needed to reach the 60-vote threshold, it's becoming increasingly clear that some Democrats will fold. They'll complain, they'll posture, and they'll make dramatic speeches about how terrible the bill is—but in the end, enough may vote for it so it can pass because they know the alternative is worse.