Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday he "will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down."
Schumer acknowledged, "the bill is very bad," but emphasized that a shutdown's consequences for America are "much, much worse."
His stance quickly drew criticism from fellow Democrats.
"I cannot underscore enough how incorrect that is," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. "What voting for this CR does is that it codifies the chaos and the reckless cuts that Elon Musk has been pursuing, the robbing of our federal government in order to finance tax cuts for billionaires is what is happening. And that is what Senate Democrats will be empowering if they vote for this CR."
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., also pushed back, writing on X, "Respectfully Senator Schumer, no. This Republican bill is bad for workers, bad for our veterans, bad for our seniors. Republicans should pull it and let us get back to work crafting a budget that works for all of our families."
Former Ambassador Susan Rice added her voice, sharply stating, "WTF? @SenSchumer please grow a spine. And quickly."
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, criticized Senate Democrats directly, posting, "It is clear that some of us understand the present danger & some don’t! I stand by the NO vote on the blank check for Trump & Elon… I’ve got no explanation nor agreement with Senate Dems being complicit in Trump’s Tyranny."
Though Republicans hold the Senate majority, internal divisions mean not all GOP senators support the bill. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., firmly declared himself a "hell no," complicating passage even further.
Only one Democrat backed the measure when it passed the House earlier this week.