Greer On Tariffs: We Can’t Keep Allowing Wall Street To Run The Economy

'I know everyone’s concerned about Wall Street,' Greer testified. 'I’m just concerned about Main Street.'

Senate Dems side with Schumer, sidestepping government shutdown



Senate Democrats caved and voted alongside Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), reaching across the aisle to pass the Republican-led continuing resolution Friday just hours before the funding deadline.

The CR advanced in a 62-38 vote, with 10 Democrats joining 52 Republicans to pass the funding bill.

In addition to Schumer, Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Gary Peters of Michigan, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and independent Sen. Angus King of Maine voted in support of the bill. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only GOP senator to vote against the CR.

Although the CR passed the House with a simple majority on Tuesday, the Senate required 60 votes for the CR to clear a procedural hurdle known as cloture. Because Republicans hold just 53 seats, they needed Democrats to join them and avert a shutdown.

'Democrats must not buy in to this false choice. We must fight back for a better way.'

While Democrats ultimately aided Republicans, many were furious with Schumer and other senators who sided with him to pass a Trump-backed funding bill.

Democrats, including Schumer, initially signaled that they would vote in lockstep to sink the CR and shut down the government. Many Democrats also proposed an alternative 30-day funding extension, which would allow them to negotiate a different CR. But Democrats are the minority party in both the House and the Senate, making this an unrealistic option.

Schumer quickly pivoted from his original advocacy for a shutdown and instead urged his colleagues to pass the CR, arguing that a shutdown is worse than an unfavorable funding package.

"It's not really a decision; it's a Hobson's choice," Schumer said in a floor speech Thursday. "Either proceed with the bill before us, or risk Donald Trump rowing America into the chaos of a shutdown. This, in my view, is no choice at all. While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse."

Schumer's reversal outraged his Democratic colleagues, sparking murmurs of potential primary challengers like Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

"I think it is a huge slap in the face, and I think that there's a wide sense of betrayal," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters Thursday.

It wasn't just the rank and file who were upset with Schumer. Without explicitly naming him, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) both disavowed Schumer's approach.

"House Democrats will not be complicit," Jeffries said. "We remain strongly opposed to the partisan spending bill under consideration in the Senate."

"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," Pelosi said in a statement Friday. "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."

"Democrats must not buy in to this false choice," Pelosi added. "We must fight back for a better way."

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Democrats carry Trump's labor pick through key committee vote



Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Labor, cleared a procedural vote Thursday with the help of Senate Democrats, advancing her nomination to the Senate floor.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced Chavez-DeRemer's nomination in a 13-9 vote with the support of Democratic Sens. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and John Hickenlooper of Colorado as well as 10 Republicans.

'As the daughter of a Teamster, Lori Chavez-DeRemer knows the importance of carrying a union card and what it means to grow up in a middle-class household.'

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only GOP senator to vote against Chavez-DeRemer's nomination, citing concerns over her previous support for the PRO Act. Notably, Chavez-DeRemer reversed her position on the PRO Act when Paul pressed her about it in her confirmation hearing.

"This is the question, whether this is sort of a death-bed reversal or whether or not she is truly for this," Paul told reporters after the hearing.

"I'm going to think about her answers and think about whether or not a conversion in this last moment is sincere," Paul added.

Although Chavez-DeRemer received support from several Democrats, not all of them entirely endorsed the nominee.

“I have some concerns … but it just gets worse from here,” Kaine said.

Chavez-DeRemer previously served in Congress, representing Oregon's 5th Congressional District from 2023 to 2025, although she was ousted by her Democratic challenger in November. During her time in office, Chavez-DeRemer was regarded as a more moderate, pro-union Republican, reflecting her swing district.

Chavez-DeRemer additionally secured an endorsement from the Teamsters union, which is the largest union in the United States.

"As the daughter of a Teamster, Lori Chavez-DeRemer knows the importance of carrying a union card and what it means to grow up in a middle-class household,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said in a statement.

“Working people need someone with her experience leading the agency that is tasked with protecting workers, creating good union jobs, and rebuilding our nation’s middle class," O'Brien added. "The Teamsters are grateful to President Trump for putting American workers first by nominating Rep. Chavez-DeRemer to this important role.”

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Jon Tester Wants to Ban Dark Money. But Not Until It Helps Him Win.

Sen. Jon Tester (D., Mont.) wants a constitutional amendment to outlaw dark money in elections—exactly the kind of dark money a Chuck Schumer-aligned group is spending to boost Tester’s reelection campaign.

The post Jon Tester Wants to Ban Dark Money. But Not Until It Helps Him Win. appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

How Congress Can Do Away With Spendy Government Shutdown Theater For Good

A new bill would take shutdown crisis scenarios off the table for good by automatically maintaining current spending levels during budget stalemates until the enactment of new appropriations legislation.

These Senate Dems Pledged to Return SBF’s Political Donations. Records Show They Still Haven’t.

The two senators whom disgraced crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried donated the most to both pledged to return the contributions, but newly filed campaign finance disclosures show the Democratic senators fell far short of their promises.

The post These Senate Dems Pledged to Return SBF’s Political Donations. Records Show They Still Haven’t. appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

Senate Dems Could Confirm Biden Judicial Nom Who Unmasked Underage Sexual Assault Victim As Soon As Next Week

Senate Democrats could vote on a Biden judicial nominee, who is under fire for unmasking the identity of an underage sexual assault victim, as soon as next week.

The post Senate Dems Could Confirm Biden Judicial Nom Who Unmasked Underage Sexual Assault Victim As Soon As Next Week appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

Senate Dems Schedule Hearing for Biden Judicial Nominee Under Fire From Sexual Assault Victim

Senate Democrats took a major step toward confirming embattled judicial nominee Michael Delaney on Tuesday morning after New Hampshire's two Democratic senators pushed leadership to stand by the nominee, who is under fire for leading a successful push to unmask the identity of an underage sexual assault victim.

The post Senate Dems Schedule Hearing for Biden Judicial Nominee Under Fire From Sexual Assault Victim appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

Defend Creeps for a Living? Dems Have Second Thoughts About Making You a Federal Judge

President Joe Biden is taking heat, justifiably, over his crummy nominee to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, Michael Delaney.

The post Defend Creeps for a Living? Dems Have Second Thoughts About Making You a Federal Judge  appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

Biden Judicial Nominee Michael Delaney Allegedly Intimidated Teenage Sexual Assault Victim

'In an attempt to intimidate me, Delaney filed a motion to strip me, then 16, of my anonymity'