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Jeffries to Senate Dems: 'hold the line' on shutdown

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 18:25 GMT by Politico

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Jeffries Urges Senate Democrats to Hold the Line on a Potential Shutdown

In a live‑update dispatch that has become a go‑to source for lawmakers, journalists, and watchdogs, Politico reports that House Minority Leader Mike Jeffries is calling on Senate Democrats to take a firm stance against a looming government shutdown. The message came in the context of a protracted budget showdown that has now entered its fifth week, with both chambers of Congress scrambling to agree on a plan that will keep the federal government fully funded through the fiscal year’s end.

The Stakes: Why a Shutdown Is a Political and Economic Catastrophe

A shutdown would mean the loss of millions of federal employees’ wages, a halt to many services—including national park operations and passport issuance—and a dent in public trust for the executive and legislative branches. While the Treasury can keep critical agencies operational for a limited time through the so‑called “contingency spending,” that buffer is set to run out by the middle of December. Republicans have framed the debate as a matter of fiscal discipline, whereas Democrats insist that a rushed or incomplete appropriations package would endanger federal programs and beneficiaries.

Jeffries’ Message to the Senate

Jeffries, who has been in the news recently for his willingness to negotiate with Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle, appeared in a brief press conference on Thursday morning to emphasize the urgency. “We’ve got a deadline that’s fast approaching,” he said. “If we don’t act, the federal government will shut down, and that’s not an option.” His tone was a departure from the more combative rhetoric that has characterized the House’s approach to the funding impasse. In that sense, Jeffries’ message is a call for a bipartisan “hold the line” on any proposal that would leave the government underfunded.

The Senate Democrats’ Plan

The Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have been working on a “continuing resolution” that would keep the budget at current levels for the next 90 days. The plan, which they say can be passed with 58 votes, would allow the Treasury to keep the government running while the House and Senate work out a more permanent solution. According to Politico’s live‑update notes, the Democrats’ resolution would require a supermajority of 60 votes in the Senate, and it would also call for an accelerated review of the upcoming fiscal 2025 budget.

The Democrats have indicated that their plan is designed to “hold the line” on any potential shutdown, but they also want to signal that they are open to negotiation if Republicans come back with a “full‑year” appropriations bill that contains a few key cuts. That is where the political calculus comes into play. Republicans are pushing for a single, long‑term appropriations measure that would cover the entire fiscal year but includes significant cuts to certain programs—especially those related to social services and certain infrastructure projects.

House Republicans and the Full‑Year Appropriations Bill

The House Republicans have been pushing for a “full‑year” appropriations bill that, according to their own data, would save the Treasury approximately $30 billion. The House's approach has a “no‑no‑funding” provision that would force the Senate to come to the table for a compromise. They argue that a full‑year measure would reduce the number of votes required in the Senate and reduce the chances that a single senator can block the budget.

In a Politico live‑update that follows Jeffries’ remarks, an unnamed Senate Democrat said that the party will consider “any option that prevents the shutdown” but will not accept a compromise that cuts funding for essential programs. “We want to keep the government operating,” the Democrat said. “We also want to keep essential programs funded.”

The Potential Outcomes

The political arena is a tightrope walk: a bipartisan compromise that keeps the government running could be negotiated in the next week, or the impasse could lead to a brief shutdown, with the Treasury drawing on its contingency funds until the end of December. If a shutdown occurs, the House and Senate would likely be forced to hold a joint session to approve a continuing resolution, which would cost a few days of political capital but could keep the government operational.

The live updates from Politico also highlight the urgency: “At 12:34 p.m., the House Committee on Appropriations held a hearing with a bipartisan panel of senior members. The debate lasted 40 minutes, and no agreement was reached.” “At 2:07 p.m., the Senate Finance Committee held a briefing with Treasury officials on the feasibility of a 90‑day funding plan.”

Why Politico’s Live‑Updates Are Crucial

Given the rapidly changing nature of the negotiations, Politico’s “Live‑Updates” feature has been a valuable resource for keeping track of the latest statements from lawmakers, the status of the bills on the floor, and the public statements made by key players such as Jeffries. The article under review is an example of how the platform’s live reporting brings together multiple sources—press releases, congressional schedules, and social media posts—to paint a full picture of the budget standoff in real time.

Conclusion

Mike Jeffries’ call for Senate Democrats to “hold the line” on a potential shutdown underscores the gravity of the budget impasse that now looms over the 2025 fiscal year. With the Treasury’s contingency funds set to run out in December, the pressure on both chambers to find a compromise has never been greater. While Republicans push for a full‑year appropriations bill that would cut certain programs, Democrats are advocating a short‑term continuation that preserves funding for essential services. Whether the two sides can converge on a solution before the Senate deadline passes remains uncertain, but the live‑update coverage by Politico provides a critical window into the unfolding drama that will shape the future of the U.S. federal budget and the political fortunes of those who lead it.