House Democrats, led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, expressed shock and outrage when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his support for a GOP spending bill opposed by most of the Democratic Party. Ocasio-Cortez labeled Schumer’s decision as a “slap in the face” that triggered feelings of betrayal and unity across party lines. Concerns were raised at the House Democrats’ retreat about potential Senate support for the bill following the House’s unified rejection of it the previous week.

Representative Pramila Jayapal emphasized the importance of Democratic solidarity, warning that conceding on this bill could set a precedent for future compromises. Schumer defended his stance by arguing that avoiding a government shutdown outweighed opposition to the spending bill, a view vehemently opposed by some House Democrats like Joe Morelle.

Ocasio-Cortez challenged Schumer’s rationale, highlighting the negative implications of supporting the bill and urging senators to reconsider their stance. Members stressed the need for a cohesive message from both House and Senate Democrats to the public, emphasizing the importance of standing firm against the GOP bill. House Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries and Katherine Clark, reiterated their opposition to the partisan spending bill and expressed readiness to support a temporary resolution for further negotiations.

The ongoing debate underscores the internal tensions within the Democratic Party over strategy and unity in confronting the GOP’s agenda, with calls for Schumer to rally Senate Democrats and show a united front against perceived threats to government stability and Democratic values.