In Dear Colleague Letter To Senate Democrats, Leader Schumer Warns Republicans’ Go-At-It Alone Approach Heads Country Towards Shutdown—Prioritizes Chaos Over Governing,[...]

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer sent the following letter to Senate Democrats, as the Senate prepares to return from August Recess, encouraging the body to rebuke Trump's authoritarian takeover and press forward in a bipartisan way to avoid a devastating government shutdown. Leader Schumer also congratulated the Senators for the nearly 300 events they held in their states that highlighted how the Republican's "Big, Beautiful Betrayal" raised costs and cut essential services to provide tax breaks for billionaires and special interests.

***

September 2, 2025

Dear Colleague:

As we return from a busy August work period, one thing is clear: Donald Trump is making life harder for American families.

From the grocery store to the doctor's office, gas pump, and school supplies, American families are paying more and getting less. After just seven months, costs have soared, businesses face uncertainty, communities are less safe, and the U.S. economy is buckling under Donald Trump's chaotic, failed leadership.

Trump promised to help working people - but his signature "One Big, Beautiful Bill" has turned into a Big, Beautiful Betrayal. The law raised health care costs and gutted essential services while showering tax breaks on the wealthy. Families are watching hospitals close, food pantries shutter, and loved ones lose jobs because of Trump's bill. No matter how Republicans try to dress it up, families see through the lies and feel the daily damage. And instead of keeping even his most basic commitments-like releasing the Epstein files-Trump stonewalls, foments fear, attacks critics, and hurls lies to distract from his failures. This is not the leadership Americans asked for or deserve-and families know it.

Over the past month, Senate Democrats held nearly 300 events across the country. I thank you for your tireless efforts and your leadership during these challenging times. From Maine to the Midwest to the West Coast, we heard the same thing: life is less affordable, prices keep rising, health care is more expensive, and Trump's policies are rigged against working families.

In September, Senate Democrats will keep fighting to lower costs for families-on healthcare, prescription drugs, housing, and groceries-a contrast to Republicans and their devastating policies that benefit Trump at the expense of everyone else. The American people are counting on us to hold Republicans accountable - and we won't let up.

The only way to avoid a shutdown is to work in a bipartisan way, with a bill that can get both Republican and Democratic votes in the Senate. However, as we near the funding deadline, Republicans are once again threatening to go-at-it-alone - heading our country towards a shutdown and making the health care crisis even worse. With the Trump administration's attempt of the so-called "pocket rescission", it is clear that Republicans are prioritizing chaos over governing, partisanship over partnership, and their own power over the American people.

Senate Democrats have shown firsthand that we are willing to work in a bipartisan way to keep our government open by advancing bipartisan appropriations bills. However, the Trump administration is waging an all-out war against Congress' Article I authority and the constitutional balance of power. Senate Republicans must decide: stand up for the legislative branch or enable Trump's slide toward authoritarianism.

This month, will give us the opportunity to show a sharp contrast between our agenda and the chaos and extremism of the other side. I have spoken with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and we are aligned on our shared priorities for September: where Republicans obstruct, we press forward; where they sow division, we answer with unity; where they threaten shutdown, we hold them accountable.

I urge each of you to stay engaged with your constituents, highlight the real damage Republicans have inflicted, and prepare for another busy and consequential month as we fight tirelessly for the American people.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

###