Thune slams Democrats for blocking short-term authorities funding extension

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Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D., railed towards Senate Democrats’ transfer to dam the GOP’s short-term funding extension as Congress gears up for a authorities shutdown.

Democratic lawmakers led by Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., voted to dam Republicans' persevering with decision (CR) for a second time simply hours forward of the deadline to fund the federal government.

It’s unlikely {that a} deal will likely be struck within the waning hours of fiscal yr (FY) 2025, and neither aspect is able to blink.

Thune mentioned there can be extra votes to return on the identical invoice however famous that if Schumer wished to speak, he is aware of the place to seek out him. He additionally mentioned there are Democrats who "are very sad with the scenario that they're in."

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN RISK GROWS AFTER DEMS BLOCK TRUMP-BACKED EXTENSION FOR A 2ND TIME

Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D., talks to reporters outdoors the West Wing of the White Home on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington, as Home Speaker Mike Johnson of La., listens. (Alex Brandon/AP Photograph)

"We did not ask Democrats to swallow any new Republican insurance policies. We did not add partisan riders," Thune mentioned. "We merely requested Democrats to increase current funding ranges to permit the Senate to proceed the bipartisan appropriations work that we began."

"And Senate Democrats mentioned no," he continued. "Why? As a result of far left curiosity teams and much left Democrat members wished a showdown with the president. And so, Senate Democrats have sacrificed the American individuals to Democrats partisan pursuits."

Republicans tried and didn't once more advance their CR, which might have prolonged authorities funding till Nov. 21 with the principle purpose of giving lawmakers extra time to go the dozen spending payments wanted to fund the federal government, a feat that hasn’t been completed because the Nineteen Nineties.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS' GOVERNMENT FUNDING PROPOSAL GOES DOWN IN FLAMES WITH SHUTDOWN DEADLINE IN HOURS

Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., proper, and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., stroll converse to members of the media outdoors the West Wing on the White Home in Washington, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Evan Vucci)

Regardless of an impending shutdown, Thune and Senate Republicans discovered a vibrant spot within the failed vote: extra Democrats crossed the aisle than the earlier take a look at earlier this month.

"The cracks within the Democrats are already displaying," Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., mentioned. "Once we had a vote on our proposal to maintain the federal government open, the clear CR proper earlier than the recess, we had one Democrat vote. Tonight we had three."

Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Angus King, I-Maine, all crossed the aisle to help the invoice.

GOP ACCUSES DEMS OF RISKING SHUTDOWN TO RESTORE ‘ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT HEALTHCARE’

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media as he departs the White Home September 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. Underneath strain from Trump, the DOJ indicted former FBI Director James Comey on counts of creating false statements and obstruction of a congressional continuing associated to the September 2020 Russia investigation. (Photograph by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures) (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Pictures)

In the meantime, Schumer signaled that he was not able to budge from his place and as an alternative pointed the finger on the GOP and President Donald Trump for "plunging America right into a shutdown, rejecting bipartisan talks, pushing a partisan invoice, and risking America's well being care."

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Senate Democrats pushed for an extension to expiring Obamacare tax credit, amongst different issues, that Republicans argued weren't provisions that ought to be tacked onto a short-term funding extension.

Nonetheless, Schumer was firm that Thune and the GOP wanted to return to the negotiating desk to resolve that difficulty and craft a bipartisan CR.

"We hope they sit down with us and speak. In any other case, it is the Republicans who will likely be driving us straight in the direction of a shutdown tonight, and at midnight," Schumer mentioned. "And the American individuals will blame them for bringing the federal authorities to a halt."