Key Takeaways:
- Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticizes Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for supporting a Republican-backed funding bill.
- Schumer faces backlash from Democrats for cutting a deal on a stopgap funding bill without consulting the party.
- The bill avoids a government shutdown but includes spending cuts to social programs like Medicaid.
- Pelosi argues Schumer gave up leverage to negotiate better terms with Republicans.
- The bill includes $13 billion in domestic cuts, $6 billion for defense, and no disaster relief for California.
Pelosi Takes Aim at Schumer’s Strategy
In a rare public rebuke, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for his decision to support a Republican-led government funding bill. Schumer, a longtime ally of Pelosi, has faced growing criticism from Democrats for cutting a deal that many say weakens their negotiating power.
The controversy began when Schumer backed a short-term funding bill to prevent a government shutdown. Democrats claim the bill was crafted without their input, leading to frustration within the party. Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez even called it a “chaotic” plan that mirrors the disruption caused by Elon Musk’s leadership style.
What’s in the Funding Bill?
The stopgap bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump, keeps the government running through September 30. However, it comes with significant trade-offs:
- $13 billion in domestic spending cuts: These cuts could impact programs like Medicaid, which provides health care to low-income families.
- $6 billion increase in defense spending: The bill boosts funding for the military, a priority for Republicans.
- $20 billion cut to IRS enforcement: This reduces the agency’s ability to enforce tax laws.
- No disaster relief for California: Despite recent natural disasters, the bill does not include aid for the state.
Pelosi Criticizes Schumer’s Approach
Pelosi, speaking at a news conference in San Francisco, expressed her disappointment with Schumer’s decision. “I myself don’t give away anything for nothing,” she said. “I think that’s what happened the other day.”
Pelosi argued that Schumer surrendered Democrats’ leverage in negotiations. She suggested that instead of accepting the Republican-backed bill, Schumer could have pushed for a 30-day extension to allow more time for talks. “We could have, in my view, perhaps, gotten them to agree to a third way,” she said.
By failing to do so, Pelosi believes Democrats missed an opportunity to show the public that Republicans were unwilling to compromise. “They may not have agreed to it, but at least the public would have seen they’re not agreeing to it—and that then they would have been shutting the government down,” she added.
Progressive Democrats Push Back
Pelosi isn’t the only Democrat upset with Schumer. Progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have also spoken out against the bill. Ocasio-Cortez criticized the legislation for “codifying chaos” in the federal government, drawing comparisons to Elon Musk’s controversial leadership style.
Other Democrats have expressed frustration over the lack of disaster relief for California, which has recently faced devastating natural disasters. The omission of this funding has only fueled the growing tensions within the party.
Schumer Defends His Decision
Despite the backlash, Schumer has defended his support for the bill. He and other Senate Democrats argue that avoiding a government shutdown was their top priority. They also emphasized the importance of increased defense spending for national security.
Schumer’s office has pushed back against claims that Democrats were left out of the negotiations. They insist the bill was the best possible outcome given the political reality in Washington.
A Bigger Divide for Democrats?
Pelosi’s public rebuke of Schumer highlights the growing divide within the Democratic Party. While Pelosi stopped short of withdrawing her support for Schumer, her criticism underscores the tension between moderate and progressive Democrats.
Pelosi, known for her skill in uniting her party during her time as House Speaker, seems to believe Schumer could have handled the situation differently. “I think that’s what happened the other day,” she said, implying Schumer gave away too much in the negotiations.
What’s Next?
For now, the government is funded through September 30, but the debate over spending is far from over. Democrats will need to regroup and decide how to approach future negotiations with Republicans.
Pelosi’s criticism of Schumer could signal a larger struggle within the Democratic Party to find a unified strategy. As the 2024 elections approach, internal disagreements like this could prove challenging for Democrats looking to maintain their influence in Washington.
Only time will tell if Schumer’s decision to back the funding bill will help or hurt Democrats in the long run. For now, the party is left to navigate the fallout of a deal that has left many feeling frustrated and divided.