Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has expressed hope that Congress can prevent a government shutdown but has shifted responsibility to Republicans and President Trump. Schumer criticized Trump’s refusal to meet with Democrats, arguing that the American public will hold Republicans accountable if a shutdown occurs. He emphasized that the GOP controls all branches of government and faces blame for any failure to reach an agreement.
In an interview on MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe,’ Schumer said he was hopeful the Senate could achieve a stopgap bill by next week but handed responsibility for a potential shutdown to Trump and GOP lawmakers. The president on Tuesday backed out from a planned meeting with Democrats to discuss a deal, reportedly after meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Trump canceled the meeting after reportedly meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, as House GOP leaders worried a meeting between Democrats and the president could undermine Republicans’ leverage.
Schumer appeared confident in the interview that Americans would place blame on Republicans if Congress can’t come to an agreement in time to avert a shutdown, rather than blaming Democrats for holding out for a deal. He stated, ‘Ask the Republicans. First, they control the show. They have the presidency, they have the Senate, they have the House, so they’re in, and God forbid there’s a shutdown — which we don’t want — American people are going to know they’re in charge and say, ‘what the heck?’
Schumer said Democrats are continuing to request a meeting with Trump, though he said Trump has been advising Republican lawmakers to ‘ignore the Democrats.’ ‘He said he doesn’t need Democrats,’ Schumer said. ‘Well, then he doesn’t know how to count because there are 60 votes in the Senate that you need to pass this, and he’s got 53.’