Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has openly criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), urging Senate Democrats to oppose his approach to the ongoing government funding battle.
Pelosi’s public statement highlights a growing division within Democratic leadership as lawmakers work to prevent a government shutdown.
In a social media post Friday morning, Pelosi rejected the funding proposal Schumer has been considering, calling it a “false choice” between a shutdown and what she described as a harmful measure that would negatively impact working families.
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“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,” Pelosi wrote.
“Democratic senators should listen to the women.”
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…
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 14, 2025
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Pelosi’s remarks specifically praised House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), both of whom have advocated for a four-week stopgap funding extension instead of the deal Schumer appeared to be negotiating with Senate Republicans.
The public rebuke places additional pressure on Schumer, who has struggled to balance demands from both his party and Republican lawmakers.
Earlier in the week, Schumer suggested Senate Democrats would block the House-passed continuing resolution (CR), which funds the government through September.
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Senator Chuck Schumer: “Republicans do not have the votes in the Senate to invoke cloture on the House CR…” pic.twitter.com/pm2W515iXZ
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 12, 2025
However, by Thursday, reports indicated that Democrats were considering a deal that would allow Republicans to secure enough votes in exchange for a failed vote on a separate 30-day funding extension.
BREAKING: Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has CAVED, announcing he will now back the continuing resolution passed by the House. pic.twitter.com/P7zlOzJwjf
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 13, 2025
Schumer’s shifting position has fueled internal tensions, with some Senate Democrats pushing for a more aggressive stance while others express concern about the political fallout of a government shutdown.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) added to Schumer’s challenges on Friday morning when he declined to support the Senate leader’s handling of the negotiations.
When asked whether Senate Democrats needed “new leadership,” Jeffries sidestepped the question, responding only with, “Next question.”
Hakeem Jeffries is snapping at reporters, and AOC is calling out Schumer.
Nobody knows what’s going on in the Democrat Party, but it’s fun to watch. pic.twitter.com/ysgXqcgXUD
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) March 14, 2025
His response has fueled speculation about Schumer’s influence within the party, as frustration grows among both progressive and moderate Democrats who view his approach as ineffective.
Pelosi’s decision to publicly distance herself from Schumer is notable, given their history of working closely together.
Her statement signals a widening gap within Democratic leadership, particularly as the funding deadline approaches.
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Meanwhile, the Senate is moving toward passing the Republican-led stopgap bill in an effort to prevent a shutdown.
While Democrats have voiced concerns over spending cuts, they are largely backing the measure to keep the government operational while broader budget negotiations continue.
The bill maintains federal spending at approximately $6.75 trillion but includes roughly $7 billion in cuts.
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The really funny thing is their worry about shutting down the government, In reality, the average voter could care less about a shutdown, considering the idiocy and corruption that oozes and flows out of DC. Just shut up and do your jobs. Try not to show how moronic you have become.
AHH, the infighting in the Democrat Party is the best thing happening for the American People.
Now real work can begin, business can rebuild, taxes can be lowered, savings for our country will continue through the Doge, government bureaucracy eliminated and all else for the betterment of our country.