Politics

Pelosi Blasts Schumer As Dem Civil War Heats Up

HOUSE DIVIDED

“This false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable,” the former House speaker wrote about senators' decision to support the GOP spending bill.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attend the funeral service of US Senator Dianne Feinstein at San Francisco City Hall on October 5, 2023 in San Francisco, California. Feinstein, a titan of US political history who notched a string of legislative achievements during a trailblazing three-decade career in the Senate, died on September 29, 2023. She was 90. (Photo by Loren Elliott / AFP) (Photo by LOREN ELLIOTT/AFP via Getty Images)
LOREN ELLIOTT/AFP via Getty Images

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.

“This false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable,” Pelosi said. “Democratic 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.”

“Listen to the women,” Pelosi urged.

Schumer defended his move, writing that Elon Musk and Trump “want a shutdown to destroy vital government services faster.”

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 “give massive tax cuts to their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations.”

“The far-right Republican funding bill will unleash havoc on everyday Americans, giving Donald Trump and Elon Musk more power to continue dismantling the government,” they wrote Thursday.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez further referred to the move as a “betrayal.”

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 “yes” to advance it.

Trump praised Schumer for his support on Friday.

“Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took ‘guts’ and courage,” he wrote on Truth Social. “A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights.”

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