(Image Credit: IMAGN) Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. spoke during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in August 2024. Ocasio-Cortez is among a younger generation of Democratic politicians, but only 2% of those surveyed in a recent poll named her as a party leader.
Washington D.C. – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to support a Republican-led spending bill sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, triggering outrage among House Democrats who had voted overwhelmingly against the measure just days earlier.
“I think there is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal, and this is not just progressive Democrats—this is across the board, the entire party,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Thursday night at a party retreat in Leesburg, Va. “I think it is a huge slap in the face.”
The vote comes at a critical moment as Congress races to avoid a government shutdown. House Democrats had hoped their Senate counterparts would stand firm in opposition, warning that caving to GOP demands would set a dangerous precedent.
Schumer defended his decision, arguing that a government shutdown would be a “far worse option” than passing the GOP’s spending bill. However, many House Democrats sharply disagreed.
“Democratic senators should stick together,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the former chair of the Progressive Caucus. “If we give in on this, we’re going to give in on a whole bunch of things.”
Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), a member of the centrist New Democrat Coalition, warned that Schumer’s move could embolden Republicans. “I think they’re going to rue the day they made this decision,” Morelle said. “Frankly, now I think this just gives license to Republicans to continue to dismantle the government. They now have the acquiescence of Senate Democrats.”
Ocasio-Cortez also pushed back on Schumer’s argument, insisting that passing the GOP’s continuing resolution (CR) would cement deep spending cuts and chaos.
“I cannot underscore enough how incorrect that is, because what voting for this CR does is codify the chaos and the reckless cuts that Elon Musk has been pursuing,” she said. “That is what Senate Democrats will be empowering if they vote for the CR.”
She urged her colleagues to act quickly, saying there was still time to “correct course” before the cloture vote scheduled for Friday morning.
“A shutdown is not inevitable,” she insisted. “We can pass a 30-day clean extension to allow Republicans to negotiate with Democrats in order for us to have a functioning government.”
The opposition to Schumer’s decision was not limited to the party’s progressive wing. Even centrist Democrats expressed frustration, calling for a more unified front against the GOP spending bill.
“This is not a time to have a lack of clarity and lack of purpose,” said Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), a member of the New Democrat Coalition. “This is a time to be decisive about what you’re going to do.” He urged Schumer to “step up and get his caucus together” and use this moment to gain leverage over the Republican-led administration.
Later in the evening, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and his top deputies released a statement strongly opposing the GOP’s bill.
“The GOP bill will unleash havoc on everyday Americans, giving Donald Trump and Elon Musk even more power to continue dismantling the federal government,” wrote Jeffries, along with House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.).
They reiterated their support for a four-week continuing resolution that would bring both parties back to the negotiating table, rejecting the GOP’s partisan approach.
The internal Democratic rift comes at a crucial time, as the party struggles to maintain unity in the face of Republican pressure. With the spending bill now in the Senate, all eyes will be on Democratic senators to see whether they align with Schumer or heed the warnings of their House colleagues.
