The turn of events in the Senate today is sending shockwaves through much of the Democratic party. Many are questioning whether the Democrats caved by voting for the short-term spending bill. There were 18 Senators who still voted no, standing their ground.
Most of the no votes came from Senators who said they couldn’t compromise on the Dreamers. While Senator Chuck Schumer helped make the deal leading to the bill passing today, even his fellow New York Senator criticized the vote.
I am deeply disappointed that today’s outcome fails to protect Dreamers. They deserve better from the elected leaders of the only country many of them have ever called home.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) January 22, 2018
We need to ensure that whatever promises the GOP has made on protecting #Dreamers – that we're going to hold them accountable. But I'm counting on you to help me!
RT to stand with Dreamers & demand the GOP finally give 800,000 Dreamers the peace of mind they've earned! pic.twitter.com/FcTOuefyQH
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) January 22, 2018
California is home to 1 in 3 DACA recipients. 220,000 young immigrants are living in fear! I voted NO on the funding bill because the Dream Act was not attached. #DreamActNow
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) January 22, 2018
Trump & GOP leaders should've never brought us to the #TrumpShutdown in the 1st place. We must keep holding their feet to the fire on bipartisan priorities—opioid crisis, #DACA, health centers & more. Voted NO because a lengthy CR doesn’t create the pressure to get the deal done.
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) January 22, 2018
I made a commitment a long time ago that I wouldn’t vote for yet another CR that didn’t include a solution for #dreamers. My position hasn’t changed.
— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) January 22, 2018
We have 17 days to reach a bipartisan agreement to protect Dreamers. We must pull together in this fight and get this done.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) January 22, 2018
The futures and families of #Dreamers will not be assured by a promise from Republican leadership. We need a long-term budget proposal that includes real protections for our Dreamers, not a short-term IOU.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) January 22, 2018
It’s time for Republicans to learn how to govern. They had since September to pass a long-term budget, fund our military and protect America’s Dreamers. Instead, they wasted all their time binging on corporate tax cuts.
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) January 22, 2018
It’s been over 100 days since protection for 800k Dreamers ended, since community health centers were funded, since hurricanes ravaged TX, FL & PR. The Republicans refused to fix any of these issues– and they still haven't fixed them. We don't need new promises. We need new laws.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 22, 2018
Senators like Bernie Sanders say the fate of the Dreamers is just one of the reasons he voted no.
Here is why I voted against Republicans' short-term spending bill today: pic.twitter.com/eseafECZ3Q
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 22, 2018
It is time for Congress to embrace the bipartisan solutions our national priorities demand. That’s what Americans deserve – and they’ve waited long enough.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) January 22, 2018
Comment Of Appropriations Vice Chair Patrick Leahy On His ‘No’ Vote On Cloture On The GOP Stop-Gap Spending Bill https://t.co/gnqU43vnDK pic.twitter.com/tORsdsx0Nc
— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) January 22, 2018
A couple Senators say they voted no with states directly in mind.
Since government funding expired last September, Congress has failed to pass a long-term budget that delivers for Montana. I’m saying enough is enough. #mtpol #MTSEN https://t.co/JOlG7nk3Bv pic.twitter.com/64Ant8Iq3V
— Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) January 22, 2018
I voted NO on the continuing resolution today because it's bad for Connecticut. Health centers run out of money, Dreamers still in crisis. Less work for our defense contractors. Bad bill for our state.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 22, 2018
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) voted against the CR but doesn't view Dems as caving today "because the battle is not over." Though says she would have voted against any CR that didn't come along with addressing DACA, etc. @MeetThePress
— Kailani Koenig (@kailanikm) January 22, 2018
The other Democrat who voted no was:
Senator Ron Wyden
And the two Republicans who voted no were:
Senator Rand Paul
Senator Mike Lee
Did not vote:
Senator John McCain