In an astonishing move, Rep. Nancy Pelosi has rebuked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Schumer shocked his party on Thursday when he signaled that he would support Republicans' six-month spending bill to avert a government shutdown. On Friday, the former House speaker registered her disapproval in a statement that did not mention Schumer by name but criticized Democratic Senators who have chosen not to fight.
âThis false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable,â Pelosi said. âDemocratic senators should listen to the women. Appropriations leaders Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray have eloquently presented the case that we must have a better choice: A four-week funding extension to keep the government open and negotiate.â
âListen to the women,â Pelosi urged.
Schumer defended his move, writing that Elon Musk and Trump âwant a shutdown to destroy vital government services faster.â
But many Democrats have broken ranks. Led by Rep. Derek Tran, 66 Democrats in the House wrote a letter to Schumer on Friday asking him to reconsider. In a joint statement, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Katherine Clark, and Rep. Pete Aguilar also urged their colleagues to oppose the bill, saying it will âgive massive tax cuts to their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations.â
âThe far-right Republican funding bill will unleash havoc on everyday Americans, giving Donald Trump and Elon Musk more power to continue dismantling the government,â they wrote Thursday.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez further referred to the move as a âbetrayal.â
It may not matter, however, as Schumer indicated he has enough Democrats to pass the bill. Only eight in the party would have to vote âyesâ to advance it.
Trump praised Schumer for his support on Friday.
âCongratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing â Took âgutsâ and courage,â he wrote on Truth Social. âA non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights.â