Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urged Democratic senators to vote against the GOP-backed spending measure, risking a partial government shutdown.

“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.

“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,” she continued.

“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,” she added.

Pelosi’s message contrasts Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said he would vote to advance the spending bill.

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Chuck Schumer Reportedly Changes Course On Government Funding Measure As Shutdown Approaches

"Democratic senators should listen to the women. Appropriations leaders Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray have eloquently presented the case that we must have a better choice: a four-week funding extension to keep government open and negotiate a bipartisan agreement," Pelosi said.

"America has experienced a Trump shutdown before – but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse. Democrats must not buy into this false choice. We must fight back for a better way. Listen to the women, For The People," she added.

Fox News reports:

House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and several key Democrats are urging Senate Democrats to risk a government shutdown by opposing a must-pass spending bill being considered on the Senate floor today.

Instead, Pelosi, who represents San Francisco and is a leading Democrat in the House, is urging senators to back a shorter-term funding extension that would allow more time for negotiation.

The Senate will take a key procedural vote on Friday afternoon to potentially tee up final passage of a crucial stopgap government spending bill – known as a continuing resolution (CR) – to avoid a partial shutdown as time runs out.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., revealed that he would vote for the House-passed CR, because "a shutdown would be a gift" for President Donald Trump and Republicans.

From The Hill:

Schumer argued that while the continuing resolution (CR) is “very bad,” “the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse,” saying he believes it would allow President Trump “to take even much more power via a government shutdown.”

That position comes despite a wave of Senate Democrats opposing the funding bill, even those in competitive districts.

Just one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden (Maine), voted for the funding patch in the House earlier this week after Democratic leaders there urged their caucus to vote against it.

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