'One-two GOP punch': Analyst sees Democrats embracing a 'gamble' that may backfire

Senate Democrats are facing a dilemma over whether to reach across the aisle to prevent a possible government shutdown or just allow it happen as a form of protest, according to a new report.

The House GOP passed a funding bill this week, which was seen as a victory for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), after he promised it would not touch Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

"The House of Representatives set up the one-two GOP punch by passing a bill to freeze spending at current levels until the end of September — while adjusting where money is allocated to prioritize Trump’s priorities, such as border enforcement. The House then promptly left town, leaving the mess for the Senate to sort out," CNN reported.

The Senate has until Friday to make its decision. If the bill doesn't pass, all non-essential government functions would be suspended.

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Democrats don't want to be blamed for a government shutdown, but they don't want to support Donald Trump's dismantling of the government, either.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) told CNN, “I’m going to vote against what came over from the House Republicans to the Senate last night because I don’t want to give my vote to support what Trump and Musk are doing."

Collinson wrote, "That gamble could come with a significant downside, as shuttered agencies and thousands of furloughed federal workers could be left even more vulnerable to the metaphorical chainsaw wielded by Elon Musk."

The article continued, "Democrats fear this stopgap bill will simply provide another six monthsfor Trump and Musk to widen the Department of Government Efficiency’s plan to fire thousands of workers and close entire federal departments. But in theory, they can block it by refusing to give the GOP probably eight votes needed to reach a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. The need for 60-vote thresholds for most bills is the only lever the Democrats can pull in the capital to slow or moderate Trump’s actions."

Read the CNN article here.