Democrats are reportedly torn on whether to use a major leverage device that could derail Republicans from enacting President Donald Trump's MAGA agenda — as it would likely further harm already reeling federal workers.
With Republicans in control of Congress by a narrow margin, Democrats have few options to force the GOP to hit the brakes on their planned Medicaid cuts, or hope to get oversight over President Donald Trump and billionaire ally Elon Musk for their efforts to dismantle the federal government. One such tool: allow a government shutdown to happen. With the GOP factions bitterly divided over spending, the GOP will likely need Democratic votes, and they fear they can't get them.
At the same time, though, there is a bit of reluctance in some corners of the party to let a shutdown happen, Axios reported, for a simple reason: it would hurt the very federal workers they hope to take a stand for.
At the very least, reported Stephen Neukam and Hans Nichols, even Democrats who are willing to let the GOP walk into a shutdown don't want any appearance they are facilitating it.
"Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has been meeting with senators all week to discuss government funding, including a meeting with moderates on Thursday, sources tell Axios. In those private conversations, Schumer has made two basic requests: keep your powder dry on discussing government funding and don't talk about wanting a government shutdown, Axios is told."
ALSO READ: 'Gotta be kidding': Jim Jordan scrambles as he's confronted over Musk 'double standard
"One of the top reasons the top-line talks have stalled is because discussions with Republicans about adding language for guardrails around Trump and Musk to the funding deal have hit a dead end," said the report. "And now top Democrats are considering other ways to get assurances that Trump will spend money the way that Congress authorizes it."
In particular, some believe they could force these concessions in the regular appropriations process, rather than as part of a shutdown ultimatum.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) stated at a news conference earlier this week, "We need to know Republicans are willing to work with us to protect Congress' power of the purse — and I welcome any and all ideas they may have on how we can work together to do just that."
While all of this is going on, Trump and Musk continue to face a blizzard of lawsuits as the courts are pressured to stop the mass firings of federal workers and seizure of personal taxpayer information from their own end.