Washington – Last night, under the leadership of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, eight Democratic senators joined with Republicans to pass a funding bill that provides no guarantees on core Democratic demands: ending partisan rescissions and extending health care subsidies. Democratic senators received only a promise for a vote on healthcare subsidies at a later date, with no guarantee that similar legislation will be considered in the House.

The rescissions issue is of particular importance because Trump and House Republicans have maintained they can use the process to unilaterally cut funding later that has been approved on a bipartisan basis. Rescission is the process used earlier this year to gut previously agreed on funding for public radio and television, and a tactic House Republicans have pledged to continue to employ.  

In response, Food & Water Action Executive Director Wenonah Hauter made the following statement:

“With Trump mired in record-low opinion ratings, the public increasingly blaming Republicans for the government shutdown, and on the heels of a decisive national election sweep, Senate Democrats shockingly gave up the fight. Senator Schumer either supported this unconscionable capitulation behind the scenes or was incompetently unable to prevent it. Either way, he must resign as Minority Leader. Senate Democrats must reflect and reorganize with new leadership if they are to have any hope of  preventing further political disaster and winning back Congress in 2026.”

In a letter sent to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recently, more than 200 organizations from around the country demanded that Senate Democrats reject any federal appropriations bill that does not explicitly prohibit the subsequent use of the rescission process. Congressional Republicans utilized this procedural loophole earlier in the year to defund public television and radio, along with other popular programs.