Chuck Schumer

The bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse.

That's a long time away.

I am focused on bringing Trump's numbers down, his popularity down, exposing what he has done to America and what he will do.

I had to do what I had to do.

As bad as passing the [resolution] is, allowing Donald Trump to take even more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.

While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse.

Once you shut down the government, it is totally up to DOGE and Trump and Musk how long we’re in shutdown.

I would vote to break a filibuster.

A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive.

Musk has already said he wants a shutdown, and public reporting has shown he is already making plans to expedite his destruction of key government programs and services.

As bad as passing the continuing resolution would be, I believe a government shutdown is far worse.

The speaker certainly had some help from both the president and White House officials.

My job as leader is to lead the party and if there’s going to be danger in the near future, to protect the party.

But I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.

I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country to minimize the harms to the American people.

If we go into a shutdown, and I told my caucus this, there’s no off-ramp.

I believe it is the best way to minimize the harm that the Trump administration will do to the American people.

A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive.

A government shutdown would give Trump 'more power.'

I knew I’d get criticized. But I felt obligated for the country, for my Democratic caucus, to the people.

If we go into a shutdown — and I told my caucus this — there’s no off-ramp.

Clearly, this is a Hobson’s choice. The CR is a bad bill. But as bad as the CR is, I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.

Musk can use the shutdown to target 'furloughed' employees as useless, and lay them off.

For sure, the Republican bill is a terrible option. It is not a clean CR. It is deeply partisan. It doesn’t address far too many of this country’s needs.

A shutdown would be the best distraction Donald Trump could ask for from his awful agenda.