Senate Democrats Weigh Their ‘Two Bad Options’: A GOP Funding Bill or a Shutdown

“I don’t think CRs are a good option,” Sen. Mark Kelly said. “Government shutdowns are not a good option. So there’s two bad options.”

Chuck Schumer

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer meets with reporters. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

After House Republicans managed to pass a partisan government funding bill Tuesday, Senate Democrats now face a choice: Vote for a measure they all think is unsatisfactory, or effectively force a government shutdown.

Democrats have barely two-and-a-half days to figure it out. And as the clock ticks, they hardly seem close to a decision.

The House GOP bill would provide funding through September — far longer than the 30-day extension Democrats in both chambers prefer. Leading up to the vote, Senate Democrats insisted they wanted to see the House actually succeed in passing a bill before they would weigh in.