Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer engaged in an uncommon, direct debate on the Senate floor as the deadline to avoid a government shutdown loomed.

“Democrats must choose. They could opt for a government shutdown, bringing numerous complications for the American public, many of which they have previously detailed,” Thune asserted. “Alternatively, they could collaborate with Republicans to approve a straightforward, nonpartisan short-term funding plan to keep government operations running. For the sake of the American citizens, Mr. President, I sincerely hope they select the latter option.”

After Thune’s remarks, Schumer took the opportunity to reference the chart Thune had mentioned, illustrating that Democrats had consistently supported nearly all Biden-era funding resolutions. While Schumer acknowledged the statistics, he claimed the situation had changed.

“Indeed, that’s accurate. But why? Because each time, Democrats worked with Republicans to create a bipartisan proposal. The majority leader describes it as a clean bill, but it’s a partisan one. Democrats were never consulted or informed about what the bill should include,” Schumer emphasized. “You can’t secure Senate approval for funding measures unless they are bipartisan.”

As Thune observed from his desk, Schumer reiterated his party’s priorities, such as extending health care tax credits and limiting the president’s power to withdraw funds.

“To say the appropriations process is working is wrong. It’s not working,” Schumer said.

“We’ve approached it differently—we involve the Appropriations Committee, and the date they proposed, November 21, gained approval from both House and Senate negotiators, from both parties,” Thune remarked, highlighting the intended extension date under the House-supported funding resolution.

“The Democrat leader and his colleagues have the same leverage on November the 21st. This is a short-term CR. This is what we do all the time around here,” Thune continued, holding up a copy of the bill and pointing it at Schumer. “We have until the end of the year to fix the ACA credit issue, and we’re happy, as I said yesterday and I’ve said on multiple occasions, to sit down with you to do that.”

Thune then walked off the floor as Schumer reclaimed his time.