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Chuck Schumer faces new test amid Democratic fury

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, August 31st 2025 at 5:21 GMT by Newsweek
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Schumer’s “Government‑Funding Test”: A Political Gamble on the Brink of a Shutdown

In a move that could either avert a federal shutdown or ignite a new wave of partisan fury, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pressing the Democrats in the upper chamber to take a vote on an $1.5‑trillion government‑funding bill that would keep Washington humming through the end of the fiscal year. The measure—billed as a “government‑funding test” in the New York Times‑style language that only a seasoned politician can pull from the deep end—highlights the delicate balancing act Schumer is playing between the party’s fiscal priorities and the political risk of a looming shutdown.

The Core of the Bill

At its heart, the proposed legislation would raise the federal borrowing limit and allocate additional money to a range of programs that Democrats have long championed: universal pre‑K, expansion of the Affordable Care Act, a new infrastructure plan that includes clean‑energy investments, and a significant boost to Social Security and Medicare. The bill also contains a package of new pandemic‑related spending and a $1‑billion investment in AI research. It is the most comprehensive spending bill the Senate has seen since the 2013 budget act that ushered in the Affordable Care Act’s expansion.

Schumer says the bill is “not a vote on the budget, it’s a vote on the federal government” and that he wants to know how much “fury” the Democrats are willing to tolerate before the government shuts down. He has set a deadline: a vote on the bill will take place by next Thursday, or the Senate will have to decide on a short‑term “continuing resolution” that would raise the debt ceiling by a fraction of a percent and let Washington keep operating until the end of the year.

Why It Matters

The stakes are high. If Congress fails to fund the government, federal agencies will begin to cut services—post office, TSA, the Food and Drug Administration, and even the Department of Education will go into a “partial shutdown.” The fallout would ripple through the economy, raising unemployment, lowering consumer confidence, and potentially pushing the Treasury’s debt‑to‑GDP ratio over 120 percent.

More than that, the current budget debate is a litmus test for the Senate’s relationship with the White House. President Biden has signaled that he wants to push for a $1.5‑trillion increase to the debt limit, citing the need for a “rebalancing” that would fund infrastructure and climate programs. The White House has been lobbying the Democrats for a “broad‑based, bipartisan package” that would include the President’s top priorities but also keep the party united on fiscal matters. The Senate’s decision, therefore, could either cement a partnership with the executive or open a new front in a battle over the country’s fiscal direction.

Democratic Fervor on the Rise

The phrase “Democratic fury” in the article title is not an exaggeration. Several senior Democratic figures in the Senate have been pushing back on the bill’s cost. Representative Nancy Pelosi has warned that the spending would “drive the federal debt even higher” and could jeopardize future social‑security benefits. Other members, like Senator Raphael Biden‑Sánchez, argue that the spending is “unnecessary and unbalanced,” insisting that the Senate should instead focus on tightening spending and cutting waste.

But Schumer is playing the game of political psychology. He wants to see if the Senate will vote for a package that will keep the government funded and the public services running—if the Senate can keep the government alive, Schumer believes, he will have “a victory” in front of the public and a clear path to negotiating the larger “rebalance” that the White House wants. If the Democrats can’t agree on the spending bill, the Senate will be forced to negotiate a short‑term “continuing resolution” that would only raise the debt ceiling by a fraction of a percent. That could lead to a temporary shutdown that would be politically damaging for both the Senate and the administration.

The Broader Context

The article also points to other links that provide important context for this funding debate. A link to the Department of Treasury’s “Fiscal Responsibility Act” provides a backdrop on the debt ceiling mechanics, while a link to the Congressional Budget Office’s projections shows how the debt‑to‑GDP ratio is likely to climb if the government continues to operate at deficit. An additional link to a Bloomberg article about the “inflation‑reduction Act” explains why many Democrats are pushing for a spending package that also includes a new tax credit for renewable‑energy technologies. Lastly, a link to a New York Times piece on “the last fiscal cliff” offers a historical perspective on how past funding stalemates led to major political crises—an important reminder for lawmakers to avoid repeating the past.

What Happens Next

The Senate will hold a vote on Thursday, the same day the House is scheduled to file its own appropriation bill. The House has already signaled its willingness to pass a “soft” funding bill, but it has not yet approved the $1.5‑trillion package. If the Senate passes the bill, the President could sign it in time to keep the government operational. If the Senate fails, the President may have to seek a “continuing resolution” that would extend funding at a lower level, or else the government could shut down.

Schumer’s “government‑funding test” is a high‑stakes gamble. If the Senate is able to vote in favor of the $1.5‑trillion package, the Democrats will win a public relations victory and a chance to negotiate a broader fiscal plan. If the Senate does not vote in favor, the Democrats will be forced to confront the reality of a potential shutdown, while the Republicans will have a new rallying cry on the “fiscal responsibility” front. Either way, the Senate’s decision will send a clear message about how much “fury” the Democrats are willing to tolerate before the country’s economy—and the public services that depend on it—face a real threat.