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By Robert Birsel and Shane Croucher
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California Governor Gavin Newsom—a likely contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination—accused the group of Senate Democrats who voted with Republicans on a deal that may end the longest federal government shutdown in history of "capitulation" and "betrayal."
Why It Matters
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The 40-day government shutdown, the longest ever, has created mounting crises across the country with airlines canceling flights, federal workers going without pay, and food assistance programs becoming entangled in legal disputes, with more than two dozen states warning of "catastrophic operational disruptions."
Eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus voted with Republicans on Sunday to secure the 60 votes needed to pass the deal, which fails to address the key Democratic demand, the extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits expiring on January 1.
Democratic anger underscores growing tensions within the party over legislative strategy and leadership as it prepares for the run-up to midterm elections next year.
What To Know
The breakaway group of seven Democratic senators and one Democratic-aligned independent defied Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and backed a compromise deal that would a promise to hold a vote next month on extending the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits at the heart of the shutdown standoff. Schumer wanted the extension itself guaranteed in exchange for Democratic votes to reopen the government.
Newsom's sharp criticism cranks up the pressure on Schumer over his leadership of the Senate Democrats through the shutdown.
"Tonight’s Senate vote on the federal government shutdown should have been a time for strength," Newsom said in a post on X. "Instead we saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans. The American people need more from their leaders."
In March, Schumer faced a backlash from within his party after he backed a Republican-led continuing resolution, a stopgap funding bill, that failed to include any restrictions on President Donald Trump and efforts by Elon Musk to dismantle federal agencies and overhaul government operations.
While Schumer came out in opposition to the deal passed on Sunday, which he voted against, he is facing criticism from some within his party for his failure to rally Democrats, and ensure all fall into line, in opposition to the Republicans.
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, called for Schumer to go.
“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?” Khanna said in a post on X.
The senators who voted with the Republicans on Sunday were Democrats Tim Kaine, Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, Maggie Hassan, Dick Durbin, Jeanne Shaheen, Jacky Rosen, and Angus King, an independent.
They argued that the shutdown was hurting ordinary Americans too much and that the deal was the best they could hope or an it cleared the way for a promised vote by mid-December on extending the ACA tax credits.
What People Are Saying
Schumer said before Sunday’s vote: “America is in the midst of a Republican-made health care crisis - a crisis so severe, so urgent, and so devastating for American families that I cannot support a continuing resolution that fails to address it. I am voting NO.”
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also questioned the party leadership in a post on X. “People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives. Working people want leaders whose word means something.”
What Happens Next
The deal must now be passed in the House and get the president’s signature.
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