Schumer Finally Has a Plan for a Government Shutdown [View all]

"Your move, Republicans. Congressional Democrats, led by a united Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, have decided to go big this time.

The last time Congress was faced with the prospect of a government shutdown, in March, the Senate minority leader rolled over, incurring the wrath of his party. This time, he has found his spine, and more importantly, a salient economic issue to fight over: the Affordable Care Act tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year. In staking out ground over health care, Schumer and congressional Democrats are drawing an easy-to-understand contrast with the GOP. Republicans, saddled by bad polling over their “big beautiful bill,” would be wise to ignore President Donald Trump’s unworkable guidance to go it alone, and get to the negotiating table. That could result in a deal that represents a win for their party, and more importantly, for Americans.

The clock is ticking, with both chambers set to go on recess next week and the Oct. 1 deadline looming. The House is set to vote as soon as today on keeping spending at current levels until Nov. 21. The vote will be an exercise in futility, given how far apart the sides are.

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Another unknown is who gets the blame politically, if any is to be assigned. It is hard to imagine voters, constantly flooded with chaotic news out of Washington, not to mention the stress of their own lives, remembering who did what and why come November 2026. Still, Democrats have had some success in messaging, branding Trump’s signature legislation as harmful to the health-care system. Their efforts now are simply an extension of what they have been saying for months. Being the health care party isn’t a bad thing. Positioning this fight as a debate over health care versus a “clean CR” — a bit of Congressional argot few Americans understand — underscores their brand.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-09-19/schumer-is-finally-ready-for-a-government-shutdown?srnd=homepage-americas