Schumer announces he’ll vote to keep government open, likely avoiding shutdown
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Monday that he will vote to keep the government open, likely avoiding a shutdown that could have had disastrous consequences for millions of Americans. Schumer’s announcement comes as Congress faces a Friday deadline to pass a funding bill to keep the government running.
In a statement, Schumer said, “I will vote to keep the government open. We cannot afford to play games with the lives and livelihoods of the American people. It is time for Congress to come together and pass a clean funding bill that ensures critical services continue uninterrupted.”
Schumer’s announcement is a significant development in the ongoing budget negotiations, as Democrats and Republicans have been at an impasse over funding for a border wall. President Trump has demanded $5 billion for the wall, while Democrats have refused to allocate any funding for the project.
If Congress fails to pass a funding bill by Friday, the government will shut down, leading to the closure of national parks, delays in tax refunds, and furloughs for government employees. This would be the third government shutdown of the year, following two brief shutdowns in January and February.
Schumer’s decision to vote to keep the government open is a positive sign that a shutdown can be averted. However, the funding bill still faces challenges in the House, where some conservative Republicans have indicated they may not support the bill without funding for the border wall.
Despite these challenges, Schumer remains optimistic that a compromise can be reached. “I believe we can come together and find a solution that keeps the government open and provides the necessary funding for critical programs and services,” he said.
As the deadline approaches, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle must work together to pass a funding bill that will keep the government open and prevent a shutdown. The American people are counting on Congress to put aside partisan differences and do what is best for the country.
