Congress

Democrats Have One Big Piece of Leverage: Their Vote to Avoid a Shutdown

Government funding runs out in a few weeks, and Republicans will need Democrats’ help to pass a bill.

Rosa DeLauro

Democrats are looking for serious reassurances that Republicans will follow through on a deal. Angelina Katsanis/POLITICO via AP

By Nuha Dolby and Tinashe Chingarande

February 5, 2025 08:36 PM

Democrats can’t do much to stop Donald Trump and Elon Musk from gutting large parts of the federal bureaucracy, but they do have one bit of leverage left: shutting down the government.

Though Republicans have majorities in the House and Senate, they can’t pass a funding bill without Democrats’ help. They may not get it.

Republicans “needed Democratic votes to get the last couple of CRs through,” Sen. Andy Kim said. “They should not count on it this time if they continue down their path.”