Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) recently found himself at the center of a political storm following his controversial decision to support the GOP-backed government funding bill, a move that has drawn ire from both sides of the aisle.
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Schumer appeared on ABC's "The View," where he explained his reasoning for voting in favor of the six-month continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government through September. This decision came after Schumer had previously indicated he was willing to oppose President Trump’s proposed stopgap bill. “I knew it was a difficult choice and I knew that I’d get a lot of criticism for my choice but I felt as a leader I had to do it,” Schumer said, acknowledging the backlash he faced from fellow Democrats.
Schumer’s shift in stance sparked further criticism, with cohost Whoopi Goldberg demanding to know how he could justify rallying Democrats to support a bill he himself called “bad.” Schumer admitted, “The CR bill was bad, no question, and it allowed a slush fund which allowed money to be pushed around,” but emphasized that the alternative was a devastating government shutdown. “If we cut off government spending, it would be devastation like we have never seen,” he stated.
The Senate passed the CR with a 54-46 vote on March 14, 2025, with only Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Angus King (Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, voting in favor of the measure from the Democratic party. Supporters like Trump praised Schumer’s decision, saying it took “guts” and “courage.” However, Schumer countered this praise, stating, “He was trolling me,” during his appearance on the morning show. “He’s trying to confuse people. He always tries to confuse people,” Schumer remarked, regarding Trump’s comments.
The response from Democrats has been lukewarm at best. Cohost Sara Haines highlighted the fact that only nine Democratic senators joined Schumer in the vote, questioning his leadership. “We aren’t seeing a clear leader of the party,” she said, criticizing his inability to rally more support. Schumer faced further scrutiny from other cohosts, including Alyssa Farah Griffin who suggested it might be time for him to step aside for younger leaders in light of the disconnection between older and newer members within the Democratic party.
As the backlash unfolded, Schumer reiterated that he believed it was crucial to avoid a government shutdown. “Take that money away from people, average folks and give to the very wealthy. God Almighty, these guys are rich enough. God bless them, they don’t need more money,” Schumer said, expressing frustration over the Republicans' priorities. He also argued that failing to support the CR could give Trump and billionaire senior adviser Elon Musk “carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now.”
The ongoing funding dispute has tangible implications for Long Island, which lost over $110 million in federal funding due to the budget approved on March 14. The continuing resolution resulted in the elimination of $15.9 billion in earmarked projects that would have been funded for the fiscal year 2025, affecting several projects across the area. Lawmakers from Long Island voiced their disappointment over the cuts, which include significant funds for clean water initiatives, police technology, and public libraries.
Representative Laura Gillen (NY-04) lamented the impact on public safety, stating, “The partisan spending bill is a bad deal for Nassau County. It will cut $30 million in direct support to my district, including funding that helps our law enforcement agencies and fire departments keep Long Islanders safe.”
In addition to the local backlash, concerns have been raised regarding the future of government funding applications, as local departments may find it harder to reapply for grants due to these cuts. Schumer's vote appears to have ignited a firestorm of criticism, casting doubt on his leadership and the Democratic strategy moving forward.
In the wake of this turmoil, Schumer’s comments about Trump's manipulation have gained attention. He mentioned how the former president often tries to distract from more pressing issues, stating, “He tries to hide what he does.” This assertion resonated with some critics who argued that Schumer’s decision to support the CR was merely a temporary fix that failed to address the systemic issues facing the government.
In summary, Schumer's support of the CR, while aimed at preventing a government shutdown, has led to substantial backlash from within his party and raised questions about his leadership. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Schumer will address these criticisms and rally his party moving forward.
