Senate Democrats are preparing to offer an alternative stopgap spending bill that would avert an Oct. 1 government shutdown as they dig in against the Republican majority.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told reporters as he left a caucus lunch Tuesday that Democrats will offer a short-term spending bill that includes health care language as well as restrictions on President Donald Trump’s ability to rescind funding previously approved by Congress.
“We think we’re going to have … an alternative that American people will like a whole lot better,” Kaine said.
Another person granted anonymity to disclose private discussions confirmed the Democrats’ plan, adding that the proposal could be released as soon as Tuesday evening.
The idea of formally offering an alternative bill came up during the closed-door lunch and comes after top Democratic leaders have pushed for bipartisan negotiations without outlining what specific policy proposals they are seeking in return for their support for a weeks-long spending bill.
House Republicans rolled out a continuing resolution Tuesday that funds the government through Nov. 21, tacking on $30 million for lawmaker security and another $58 million in security assistance requested by the White House for the Supreme Court and executive branch.
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries immediately panned the bill in a joint statement and vowed to oppose it, citing its lack of health care provisions.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who is line to be the No. 2 Senate Democrat starting in 2027, also said Tuesday he would be a “no” after helping advance a previous GOP-written stopgap in March.
He noted to reporters that Trump has said Republicans don’t have to “deal with the Democrats” on spending.
“Godspeed,” Schatz said.
Republicans will need at least seven Democrats to help advance their funding bill — and likely more, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) saying Tuesday that he will not support it. Only one Democrat so far, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, has publicly indicated he will vote for it.
Democrats appear increasingly confident Trump will be blamed for any potential shutdown after he said during a Friday Fox News interview that he doesn’t need Democratic votes. They also believe the political climate has moved in their favor since the March funding fight, based on their ability to recruit top Senate candidates and brewing divisions among Republicans over Trump’s efforts to circumvent Congress on spending cuts.
“It’s much different now,” Schumer told reporters. “The Republicans are in a much weaker position now than they were then.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune opened the door Tuesday to meeting with Schumer but said that the New York Democrat hadn’t called him or come to his office.
Schumer brushed off those comments, noting that he and Jeffries have sent two letters to Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson requesting a meeting.
“Give me a break,” Schumer said. “We have asked to meet with Thune and Johnson for over six weeks.”
