Senate Democrats are expressing concerns about opposing a Republican-proposed six-month government funding bill. They fear that a government shutdown could politically empower Elon Musk and the Trump administration, potentially forcing federal workers into early retirement.

The proposal, crafted by House Republicans, has been criticized by Democratic senators for potentially undermining Congress’s financial authority and granting President Trump and Musk undue control over federal funds and program eliminations. Despite this, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has not dismissed the bill outright, indicating a cautious approach should it pass the House.

Historically, Democrats have benefited from the political fallout of government shutdowns, often attributing blame to Republicans. However, there is a growing concern that President Trump might extend a shutdown, leveraging it to pressure federal employees to retire amidst financial uncertainties.

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) voiced worries about the duration of a potential shutdown and its impact on federal agencies. He highlighted the risks posed by Musk’s influence over government operations, suggesting drastic measures could be on the horizon.

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On the Senate floor, Schumer remained silent, opting to discuss strategy privately with his leadership team. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) echoed the need for a short-term funding solution to allow for bipartisan negotiations, aiming to prevent severe cuts to nondefense programs.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) placed the responsibility for avoiding a shutdown on Democrats, emphasizing the need for bipartisan support to pass the funding bill. He indicated that at least eight Senate Democrats would need to support the measure to overcome a filibuster, despite opposition from some within his own party, like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

Democrats hope the House will reject the current proposal, which would increase defense spending significantly while cutting nondefense budgets. This rejection would enable Schumer to push for a more balanced short-term funding measure.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) faces challenges in passing the bill with Republican votes alone, as House Democrats are expected to oppose it uniformly. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) suggested waiting to see the House’s decision before taking further action.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) defended the six-month funding freeze on social platform X, citing it as a strategic move to maintain government operations and prepare for future budget adjustments. Meanwhile, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has openly stated he will vote against the bill, highlighting internal GOP divisions.

Despite potential Democratic opposition in the House, Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas) has not ruled out supporting the Republican stopgap. Former President Trump has urged unity among House Republicans, emphasizing the importance of passing the bill to avoid a shutdown.

As the deadline approaches, the political stakes are high, with both parties positioning themselves to either leverage or mitigate the impacts of a potential government shutdown.