Schumer: Democrats to Block GOP Spending Bill, Shutdown Looms by Friday Midnight

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that Democrats will not support the Republican-authored spending bill passed by the House, increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown by the end of the week. Schumer criticized the GOP for drafting the continuing resolution without Democratic input, stating that Republicans lack the necessary 60 votes in the Senate to advance the measure. The House passed the bill with a vote of 217-213. Schumer proposed an alternative, a clean one-month continuing resolution that would extend funding until April 11, arguing it would provide more time for bipartisan negotiations. He emphasized that the Democratic caucus is unified in supporting this shorter-term solution to keep the government operational. The Senate, where Republicans hold the majority and Democrats are in the minority, faces a Friday midnight deadline to act.