Remember when Democrats were ready to die on the hill of government funding? For days, Senate Democrats huffed and puffed about the Republican spending bill, vowing to stand firm against those “terrible” GOP priorities. Chuck Schumer and his caucus were positioning themselves as the last line of defense against the Trump-backed continuing resolution that passed the House on Tuesday.

Well, that didn’t last long, did it? After all the tough talk and closed-door meetings, Democrats have suddenly discovered the value of compromise. Funny how the prospect of being blamed for a government shutdown can change political calculations overnight.

As the Friday, March 14th deadline loomed larger, the resistance to working with Republicans mysteriously began to soften.

And then came the moment we’ve all been waiting for – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer officially waved the white flag on Thursday evening, announcing he would support the Republican continuing resolution after all.

From ‘The Post Millennial’:

“While the bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse,” Schumer said, adding that the “Republican bill is a terrible option. It is not a clean CR, it is deeply partisan, it doesn’t address far too many of this country’s needs, but I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.”

Bending the Knee to Reality

During a private Democratic luncheon on Thursday, March 13th, Schumer broke the news to his caucus that he would be voting in favor of the CR, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Politico. The announcement came after it became increasingly clear that Democrats had few options left if they wanted to avoid a shutdown.

Schumer’s surrender was perhaps most perfectly captured in a viral social media post showing the moment with the caption “Bend The Knee” – a visual that’s worth a thousand words to conservatives who’ve been watching this drama unfold.

“Let me be clear about one thing: nobody on my side of the aisle wants a government shutdown,” Schumer said on the Senate floor, effectively admitting defeat in the standoff with Republicans.

Progressive Panic Mode

Not everyone in the Democratic Party is taking this capitulation well. The progressive wing is particularly furious about the leadership’s decision to back down.

New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez didn’t mince words when she posted on X: “I hope Senate Democrats understand there is nothing clever about setting up a fake failed 30 day CR first to turn around & vote for cloture on the GOP spending bill. Those games won’t fool anyone. It won’t trick voters, it won’t trick House members. People will not forget it.”

Interestingly, Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman stood as the lone Democrat publicly backing the House-passed measure before Schumer’s announcement, calling the alternative proposals “total theater” that is “neither honest with constituents nor a winning argument.”

Trump’s Shadow Looms Large

Let’s not miss the bigger picture here – this represents a significant victory for President Trump’s agenda, even as the details of the continuing resolution are being finalized. The House-passed bill increases defense spending and funding for veterans’ health care while decreasing non-defense spending below 2024 levels – priorities that align perfectly with the Trump administration’s goals.

What’s particularly telling is how Democrats framed their opposition. Schumer didn’t just say the bill was bad policy – he specifically mentioned his fear that a shutdown would “give President Trump and his allies the keys to the city, state and country.” That’s quite an admission about who’s really driving the agenda in Washington these days.

The capitulation comes as the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency continue their cost-cutting efforts across federal agencies. Democrats had expressed serious concerns about giving the administration “even more latitude to carry out cost-slashing efforts,” but when push came to shove, they folded rather than risk being blamed for a government shutdown.

This victory for fiscal conservatives demonstrates that despite all the resistance rhetoric, Republicans’ unified strategy on spending priorities is winning the day in Washington. As the Senate prepares for Friday’s vote, it’s clear which party is dictating the terms of engagement.

Key Takeaways:

• Chuck Schumer announced support for the Republican continuing resolution despite previously calling it “very bad.”
• Progressive Democrats are furious about the capitulation.
• The Republican bill prioritizes defense spending and veterans’ healthcare while cutting non-defense spending.

Sources: The Post Millennial, CBS News