Washington – Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff of California said they would vote with most Democrats against temporary measures to fund the government, for possible roads that could close by the end of this weekend.
“This gives Donald Trump six months to continue to undermine the administration. This won't fly. What we should do is short-term things that will allow members of Congress to set regular funding levels for each part of the administration and insist that the president observes them.”
The Senate must vote on the ongoing resolution, which means that most parties passed the House this week, with only one Democrat supporting the measure and one Republican voting against it to fund the administration beyond Friday’s deadline. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-la.) relies on President Trump to convince Republicans to pass legislation that would fund the administration in September, which would fund the administration when Congress makes a broader budget.
The measure then moved to the Senate, where Republicans need the help of Democrats to reach the 60 vote threshold necessary to have fillibuster-free. Padilla and Schiff said they would not lend it to Republicans.
California Senators and other Democrats insist that supporting the resolution would put Trump and his adviser Elon Musk in charge of the so-called government efficiency department, continuing the federal government rave. Earlier this week, the Trump administration abandoned half of the Department of Education’s about 4,000 employees.
“We can't develop more Trump and Elon Musk's power,” Padilla said in a statement on Wednesday. “The House Republican spending bill is a man who doesn't start – after the devastating Los Angeles County fire, it completely puts California relief in relief.”
The cost includes $22.5 billion for the Federal Emergency Administration’s Disaster Relief Fund, which drew funds from its response to the Los Angeles County wildfires.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) said in a statement Wednesday that Senate Democrats “unified in 30 days of cleanliness [continuing resolution] This will open the government and allow Congress to negotiate bipartisan legislation that can be passed. “But the short-term funding agreement supported by California Senators will not be able to pass the Republican-controlled conference hall.
The consequences of the government shutdown can be politically devastating for Democrats. The party is already working to determine a unified response to the Republican Party in Congress and the White House. Republican leaders have said they will detain shutdown Democrats, condemning the hypocrisy of the North Korean government shutdown, while advocating Musk to cut government cuts.
“If they close, it's not the Republican's fault,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
But Democrats point their fingers at Republican leadership.
“Remember, Republicans control the White House, the House and the Senate,” said Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA.). “If the government is closed, it's because they want it — not us.”
