Why the Republican rescissions bill could force a Schumer shutdown

Published July 16, 2025 4:58pm ET



Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and nine other Democrats caved and voted with Senate Republicans to keep the government open this March. But if Congress approves President Donald Trump’s rescissions package this week, the pressure for Schumer to follow through on his shutdown threats will be even stronger this time around.

“It is absurd to expect Democrats to play along with funding the government if Republicans are just going to renege on a bipartisan agreement by concocting rescissions packages behind closed doors that can pass with only their votes, not the customary 60 votes required in the appropriation process,” Schumer said last week.

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.