Top Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, have made it clear that they will not move forward on any Republican versions of a stopgap spending bill unless it is the original plan that was scrapped after pressure from billionaire Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump.
Murray stated that she is prepared to stay in Washington, D.C. for the Christmas holiday if Republicans do not return to the original short-term spending bill. She accused Musk of trying to “rip away research for pediatric cancer” and “tear down policies that help America out-compete China” in order to get a tax cut or to benefit his bottom line.
Schumer echoed Murray’s sentiments, saying that if Republicans do not work with Democrats in a bipartisan way, the government will shut down at midnight. He urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to put the original bill on the House floor for a vote, stating that it would pass and would put the threat of a shutdown behind them.
Murray also emphasized that the original deal would responsibly fund the government, offer disaster relief to communities across America, and deliver bipartisan policy reforms. She accused Musk and other conservatives of trying to impose their will on the government, saying that the American people do not want chaos or a costly government shutdown.
As of Thursday, the national debt stood at $36,167,604,149,955.61 and continues to climb rapidly. Congress must pass a measure and have it signed by President Biden by midnight on Saturday morning in order to avoid a partial shutdown.