Catie Edmondson

So there was a real fear by a number of Democratic senators that this could essentially lead to mass furloughs, could accelerate the mass layoffs we've been seeing of federal workers.

So there was a real fear by a number of Democratic senators that this could essentially lead to mass furloughs, could accelerate the mass layoffs we've been seeing of federal workers.

Exactly. And there's a second fear, which is if you shut the government down, how can you ever get it back open? And there's a specific fear that under the Trump administration and with this Republican Congress, maybe they end up opening only the parts of government they like and letting the parts of government they don't like remain permanently shut down.

Exactly. And there's a second fear, which is if you shut the government down, how can you ever get it back open? And there's a specific fear that under the Trump administration and with this Republican Congress, maybe they end up opening only the parts of government they like and letting the parts of government they don't like remain permanently shut down.

In fact, Senate Democrats met three days in a row for these luncheons that dragged on. And you could actually hear sort of them debating, right, yelling during these luncheons because this was a truly difficult decision for so many of them. But it seems like the way that the room is leaning increasingly is that it is leaning toward a shutdown.

In fact, Senate Democrats met three days in a row for these luncheons that dragged on. And you could actually hear sort of them debating, right, yelling during these luncheons because this was a truly difficult decision for so many of them. But it seems like the way that the room is leaning increasingly is that it is leaning toward a shutdown.

Well, Leader Schumer, in fact, on Thursday at this luncheon, shocks many of his members when he stands up and makes the announcement that he is, in fact, reversing himself and has made the calculation that it is going to be better for Democrats to vote to support this legislation, to clear the way for this bill, that shutting down the government is a bad option for Democrats.

Well, Leader Schumer, in fact, on Thursday at this luncheon, shocks many of his members when he stands up and makes the announcement that he is, in fact, reversing himself and has made the calculation that it is going to be better for Democrats to vote to support this legislation, to clear the way for this bill, that shutting down the government is a bad option for Democrats.

For all of the reasons, Michael, that we talked about, it would actually empower the Trump administration. And he also indicates that he has lined up enough support from other Democrats, of which he only needs a handful, to basically clear the way to make sure this bill can pass.

For all of the reasons, Michael, that we talked about, it would actually empower the Trump administration. And he also indicates that he has lined up enough support from other Democrats, of which he only needs a handful, to basically clear the way to make sure this bill can pass.

This is the moment when a lot of democratic heads explode.

This is the moment when a lot of democratic heads explode.

And there is just immediate fury.

And there is just immediate fury.

If you remember, all House Democrats except one banded together, stayed united to show that they were opposing this bill.

If you remember, all House Democrats except one banded together, stayed united to show that they were opposing this bill.

And then you have one high-profile House Democrat, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who goes on to CNN.

And then you have one high-profile House Democrat, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who goes on to CNN.

I believe that's a tremendous mistake. And says essentially that Schumer is making a huge mistake.

I believe that's a tremendous mistake. And says essentially that Schumer is making a huge mistake.