Schumer Warns Republicans on Government Shutdown

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has warned Republicans that failure to compromise on a spending bill could trigger a government shutdown, criticizing them for prioritizing partisan demands over the public's needs. Schumer's call for bipartisan cooperation comes as House Republicans push for significant budget cuts that Democrats argue would harm essential social programs. In response, Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin accused Schumer of leveraging the debt ceiling to undermine President-elect Trump's influence. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise remains uncertain whether the debt ceiling will be part of any deal to avert a shutdown, emphasizing the need for disaster relief and farm aid in negotiations. Meanwhile, an anonymous senator highlighted Schumer's desire to retain the debt ceiling as leverage against Trump, suggesting the situation remains contentious and fluid. The looming deadline for funding the federal government raises concerns over potential disruptions to federal operations and public services.