Why 10 Senate Democrats say they sided with Republicans to avert a shutdown

Published March 14, 2025 5:45pm ET



Ten Senate Democrats voted Friday to help Republicans break a 60-vote filibuster and advance a Trump-backed government funding bill that paves the way for Congress to avoid a midnight shutdown deadline.

The vote came at a steep price for Democrats, with the party fracturing over Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) decision to support advancing the measure. Schumer’s decision resulted in calls from several congressional Democrats to oust him as minority leader and to primary any Democrats who sided with Republicans over what critics say was a failure to hold the line against President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.