Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has diverged from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) by urging Senate Democrats to reject his strategy in the latest government funding battle. This move has underscored a growing rift within Democratic leadership as lawmakers scramble to stave off a potential shutdown. In a searing social media post Friday morning, Pelosi condemned the funding proposal Schumer appeared to support, insisting that Democrats must not accept a “false choice” between a shutdown and what she called a “devastating assault on the well-being of working families.”
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have offered the Congress a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on the well-being of working families across America. Let’s be clear: neither is a good option for the American people. But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable. I salute Leader Hakeem Jeffries for his courageous rejection of this false choice, and I am proud of my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus for their overwhelming vote against this bill,” she tweeted.
“Democratic senators should listen to the women. Appropriations leaders Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray have eloquently presented the case that we must have a better choice: a four-week funding extension to keep government open and negotiate a bipartisan agreement. America has experienced a Trump shutdown before – but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse. Democrats must not buy into this false choice. We must fight back for a better way. Listen to the women, For The People,” she added.
Schumer found himself in a tough spot. Earlier in the week, he had indicated that Senate Democrats would block the House-passed continuing resolution that funds the government through September. However, by Thursday, reports suggested he was softening his stance, with Senate Democrats reportedly negotiating a deal to secure the votes Republicans needed by trading a failed vote on a 30-day funding extension—a move seen as an attempt to save face while ultimately preventing a shutdown.
Schumer’s position is dividing Senate Democrats, with some pushing for a hardline stance and others worried about the political fallout from a shutdown. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) further weakened Schumer’s position on Friday morning by refusing to defend his handling of the situation. When asked if it was time for “new leadership in the Senate,” Jeffries avoided the question, simply saying, “Next question.” Pelosi’s split with Schumer marks a rare yet significant rift within Democratic leadership. Despite their longstanding collaboration, her public repudiation of his approach signals mounting frustration with what she sees as his ineffective strategy.
