Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is facing growing criticism from progressive members of his party after agreeing to a Republican-backed six-month continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown.

The deal, which Schumer announced on Thursday, would keep the government open while allowing the Trump administration expanded powers to cut or rescind funding across multiple federal agencies.

Schumer defended his decision, arguing that failing to pass the resolution would result in greater power for President Donald Trump and his cost-cutting advisor, Elon Musk.

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“While the Republican bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse,” Schumer said.

“For sure, the Republican bill is a terrible option. It is deeply partisan. It doesn’t address far too many of this country’s needs, but I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power in a government shutdown is a far worse option.”

🚨BREAKING: Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has CAVED, announcing he will now back the continuing resolution passed by the House. pic.twitter.com/P7zlOzJwjf

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 13, 2025

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However, Schumer’s move has sparked outrage within his own party, particularly from progressive Democrats in the House.

Among the most vocal critics is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who has urged her supporters to mobilize against the bill and pressure Senate Democrats to vote it down.

Now is not the time to “completely roll over and give up on protecting the Constitution,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X.

“We have time to correct course on this decision. Senate Democrats can vote no. We can correct course, and that is the most important thing in front of us right now.”

Some of her progressive allies are going even further, reportedly encouraging Ocasio-Cortez to challenge Schumer in the upcoming New York Senate primary.

According to CNN, members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are privately pushing for the congresswoman to run against Schumer, frustrated with what they view as his willingness to compromise with Republicans.

“There are members of Congress who have won Trump-held districts in some of the most difficult territory in the United States who walked the plank and took innumerable risks in order to defend the American people, in order to defend Social Security and Medicaid and Medicare,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

“Just to see Senate Democrats even consider acquiescing to Elon Musk, I think is a huge slap in the face. And I think there is a wide sense of betrayal if things proceed as currently planned.”

A source within the Progressive Caucus indicated that even moderate Democrats are angered by Schumer’s decision, with some donors prepared to financially back an AOC Senate bid.

“Some are so mad that even party centrists are ready to write checks for AOC for Senate,” the source said.

“I’ve never seen people so mad.”

When asked whether she is considering a primary challenge against Schumer, Ocasio-Cortez avoided a direct answer, instead emphasizing her focus on blocking the spending resolution.

“We still have an opportunity to correct course here, and that is my number one priority,” she said.

Ocasio-Cortez gained national prominence after unseating former House Democratic Caucus Chair Joseph Crowley (D-NY) in 2018, a victory that shocked the Democratic establishment.

Since then, she has remained a high-profile figure in the party’s progressive wing and has used her influence to advocate for leftist policies.

If she chooses to run for Senate in 2026, her candidacy could pose a significant challenge to Schumer’s leadership.

For now, the immediate battle remains in the Senate, where Democrats must decide whether to follow Schumer’s lead or heed the calls of their party’s left flank.