‘Pathetic’: Democrat Torches Schumer for Flip-Flop on GOP Funding Bill
“I think Schumer really missed the moment,” Rep. Becca Balint said, adding Senate Dems need to do some “soul searching.”
Democrat Congresswoman Becca Balint took aim at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer after his abrupt U-turn on the GOP-backed funding bill.
“The fact that the leader said one thing and then within 24 hours did an about face, it just looked pathetic,” the Vermont representative told MSNBC’s Katie Phang on Saturday.
Schumer made a dramatic reversal by helping Republicans pass their funding bill on Friday after initially opposing it alongside other members of his party.
“We were united,” Balint said. “This was a time to not blink. I think Schumer really missed the moment.”
She said Schumer’s about-face sent “the absolute wrong message” that Democrats are unwilling to fight. “That is why I was so furious, and I know that that is true across my caucus and the House.”
Chuck Schumer at the U.S. Capitol on March 13, 2025.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
Only one House Democrat voted for the bill, which keeps the government open for six months, while nine Democratic senators joined Schumer in pushing through the legislation.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Schumer justified his reversal by claiming that preventing a government shutdown would “minimize the harm” that Trump could inflict.
“Under a shutdown, Trump and Elon Musk would have carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate than they can right now," he said in a speech on the Senate floor.
Balint pushed back against his argument, saying the damage was already done. “We’re supposed to be a check on the system. We’re supposed to be the bulwark—can we please act like it?” she demanded.
Balint became a House Representative in 2023—more than 40 years after Schumer was first elected to Congress. She argued that Democrats can’t rely on the same strategies from two decades ago to counter Republicans, saying the GOP no longer respects checks and balances.
“We have to throw punches. We have to be able to go toe-to-toe and not blink. Because if we don’t, where is the stop? Where is the pressure for them to back down?” she said.
When asked by Phang if it’s time for new Democratic leadership, Balint said the decision was up to the people of New York, and reminded Schumer that he doesn’t own his seat.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Unlock a year of full access to The Looker and The Daily Beast for $35.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Looker and The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in
Login dialog