Staff Reports
Senate Democrats have made it very clear that when it comes to keeping the government open, they would rather put the country on the brink of chaos than let President Trump’s efficiently run Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) even think about curbing their spending sprees. With the clock ticking down to a potential government shutdown, these fine folks are digging their heels in deeper than a toddler at a candy store, resolutely opposing the GOP’s stopgap funding bill that breezed through the House.
When it comes to the GOP’s proposal, which simply extends current funding levels while trimming the fat in a few areas, Democrats are acting like a cat in a bathtub—hissing and refusing to budge. Their reasoning? Supporting this bill could allow Mr. Trump and his cost-cutting ways to ignore congressional spending limits, making them feel as though they’re playing right into his hands. Apparently, the Democrats think the world might end if they approve a budget that doesn’t creatively bankrupt the nation.
One Democrat who’s feeling the pressure is New Mexico’s own Senator Martin Heinrich, who is reportedly wrestling with the idea that any outcome might hurt constituents. His take? Better to throw the country into a shutdown than give Trump and DOGE any semblance of victory. Sounds like a rational plan—if one believes in the logic of a toddler throwing a tantrum in order to get ice cream.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s Senator John Fetterman has broken ranks by declaring a never-before-seen commitment to not shutting down the government. This surprising stance places him in the distinct minority of Democrats who don’t thrive on chaos. The rest are staring down the barrel at a televised spectacle of finger-pointing and crying, refusing to lend a hand to stop a shutdown that they fear would disrupt their fight against the evil spending-cuts and the wars against alleged “bully” tactics.
Senate Democrats say they are not eager to shut down the government but believe voting against a Republican stopgap bill is their only way to stand up to President Trump and his cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency. https://t.co/qRBoXsOfMO
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 13, 2025
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has suddenly turned into a master of silence, leaving the halls of Congress buzzing with anticipation over the plans of his party. As he previously stated, Republicans won’t have enough votes to clear a filibuster due to their failure to include Democrats in drafting the bill. Schumer’s approach has drawn an eye-roll from many, as the Democrats are left to fend off accusations of a “Schumer shutdown” while hoping for some last-minute enlightenment among their ranks.
The GOP’s continuing resolution, meant to extend spending levels through the end of fiscal 2025, reflects a sincere effort to maintain stability while trimming unnecessary expenses. It includes budget cuts and modest increases in defense spending—something that many Americans might actually applaud. Yet, the Dems cling desperately to the idea of a shorter, one-month CR, betting they can negotiate something more palatable. If they were really as close to a bipartisan deal as they claim, they should probably stop throwing tantrums and start negotiating like adults.
This week’s spectacle culminates in a Senate vote that, barring any wild maneuvers, may very well see the government face a shutdown if the Democrats keep putting their party above the needs of the country. With the groundwork laid for blaming Republicans, some Democrats are already rehearsing their victim scripts, insisting that everything bad stems from Trump’s magical ability to make budgets vanish like a magician’s rabbit. Americans, however, may very well witness a new narrative emerge: the Democrats, far too enamored with their own theatrics, have turned a simple funding issue into a defining moment of their own making.
