“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have offered the Congress a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on the well-being of working families across America,” Pelosi said in a statement. “ [T]his false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable,” she added.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer defends his vote with Republicans to keep the government open and his position as leader in an appearance on “The View” on Tuesday.

Democrats were stuck between two choices they despised: Vote for a funding bill that reflects Republican spending priorities and will give Trump and his allies more leeway to dismantle the federal government, or shut the government down by denying their vote and risk facing political backlash and blame.