When Party Leadership Fails, Here’s How You Can Fight Back
By Sowelu Naantena
On March 17th, the United States Senate passed a budget proposal to fund the government through September. This proposal includes a 16 billion dollar cut for social programs and a 7 billion dollar increase in military spending. This proposal, which has now been signed by President Trump, is widely seen as yet another huge victory for the Republican party, which holds the majority in the House and the Senate as well as the Presidency. While Republican lawmakers celebrate this win, progressive Americans are left asking a painful question: Where was the Democratic opposition when we needed it most?
48 hours prior to the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (the de facto leader of Senate Democrats) stood firm that the party would not allow a resolution to pass. Despite holding a majority in the Senate, Republicans needed 10 Democrats to vote yes on the bill to reach the 60% majority required. Refusing to pass a spending bill IS a risky move, since a bill not passed in time leads to a government shutdown, causing many social programs to cease running and all nonessential government workers to be placed on leave until funding begins again. However, many Democrats saw this as a risk worth taking. House minority leader Nancy Pelosi stated that the funding bill is a “devastating assault on the wellbeing of working-class families” that “should not be passed under any circumstances”, a stance that was nearly universally agreed upon in the house, with only a single Democrat voting in favor of the bill. Thus, it was to the surprise of the American people when Schumer stood before the Senate Thursday and stated that the Senate Democrats would give the bill just enough votes to pass.
Why Schumer Caved
When pressed to explain his sudden reversal, Schumer cited the need to “minimize harms to the American people” that would result from a government shutdown. “Sometimes,” he told reporters in a hastily arranged press conference, “we have to make difficult choices to keep the government functioning.” But this justification rings hollow when examined against the actual harms contained within the budget he ultimately supported.
The truth appears far more calculated. Democrats are likely haunted by previous government shutdowns where they were blamed for disrupting government services, but this scenario is fundamentally different. Unlike past shutdowns, the current political landscape clearly shows that most Americans understand the nuanced reasons behind budget negotiations. Facing intense pressure from moderate Democrats worried about electoral consequences and the White House’s aggressive messaging that Democrats would “own” any shutdown, Schumer blinked. Rather than standing firm on principles that the party had unanimously agreed upon just days earlier, he opted for what he perceived as the politically safer route.
Perhaps most telling, was the timing of Schumer’s reversal, which came just hours after Trump tweeted that a shutdown would serve as a “distraction” from his agenda. Rather than recognizing this as an admission, that a shutdown would actually hamper Trump’s ability to implement his most extreme policies, Schumer appeared to accept the framing that Democrats would shoulder the blame.
Real World Consequences
This decision has not gone without controversy. Many progressive politicians have stated that they believe Schumer made the wrong choice, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who accused him of “playing politics” during a time of genuine danger for the American people. As Cortez references, this move comes at a time of unprecedented political action in the US, and for many represents an unwillingness to act from Democratic leaders who are prioritizing image over immediate response.
Make no mistake: this budget agreement isn’t just a political miscalculation, it’s a direct attack on the most vulnerable Americans. While avoiding a shutdown keeps social service money flowing in the short term, 16 billion in social program cuts will have devastating effects on communities already struggling under the weight of economic uncertainty. These cuts will likely mean:
- Higher grocery bills as food assistance programs are reduced
- Potential loss of affordable housing for families on the margins
- Fewer educational grants for students trying to pursue higher education
- Increased financial stress for working-class households
And the consequences extend far beyond the numbers. By enabling this budget to pass, Senate Democrats have effectively given the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency a blank check to continue their aggressive restructuring of federal agencies. In just the first 61 days of Trump’s presidency, we’ve witnessed:
- Massive workforce reductions at the IRS, hampering the agency’s ability to collect taxes from wealthy individuals and corporations
- Systematic dismantling of the Social Security Administration’s infrastructure, threatening benefits for millions of seniors
- Gutting of the Education Department’s ability to protect student rights and oversee loan programs
- Elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across federal agencies
- Rollback of environmental protections that safeguard our air and water
As Representative Becca Balint, another Democrat standing out against the party’s choice, states, “This continuing resolution doesn’t just fund the government, it funds the systematic destruction of institutions that millions of Americans rely on”. With this budget now secured, the administration can accelerate these efforts without meaningful congressional oversight until September.
Most troubling is how this budget fits into the larger pattern of Trump’s governance. By conceding on this continuing resolution, Democrats have surrendered the biggest piece of leverage that could have been used to check the president’s most extreme actions, including his controversial immigration policies and aggressive tariff implementation against our closest allies. The budget provides tacit approval for these measures while doing nothing to protect the programs and people most at risk.
A Failure of Democratic Strategy
This budget debacle represents more than just a single misstep, it shows fundamental flaws in the Democratic party’s approach to opposition in the Trump era. Despite holding significant power as the minority party in the Senate (where 60 votes are needed for most legislation), Democrats continue to approach negotiations as if they have no leverage whatsoever. Contrast this with how Republicans operated during the Obama administration, when they repeatedly used budget negotiations and the threat of government shutdowns to extract major concessions.
This strategic weakness stems from a fundamental misreading of the current political landscape. While Schumer and other Democratic leaders appear to believe that “reasonable compromise” will win favor with moderate voters, evidence suggests that decisive resistance would actually energize the Democratic base without significantly alienating swing voters. As polling consistently shows, most Americans blame the party in power, not the minority party, for government dysfunction.
The most damning aspect of this failure is that it was entirely predictable. Progressive voices within the party had warned for weeks that backing down on budget negotiations would only embolden Republicans to make even more extreme demands in future. As Senator Bernie Sanders put it: “Every time we surrender on a ‘must-pass’ bill, we guarantee that the next one will be even worse.”
What This Means For Progressive Voters
While establishment figures like Schumer continue to operate as if politics-as-usual still applies, grassroots activists and younger elected officials recognize that these are extraordinary times requiring extraordinary resistance.
For progressive Americans watching this unfold, the implications are deeply troubling but also clarifying. If you’ve donated time, money, or energy to Democratic candidates with the expectation that they would serve as a meaningful check on the Trump administration, this moment should prompt serious reflection. The moment calls for strategic engagement rather than disillusionment.
This doesn’t mean progressives should abandon electoral politics. It means we need to be more strategic and demanding in how we engage with the Democratic Party. Supporting primary challenges against representatives who consistently fold under pressure is not divisive, in fact, it’s necessary for building a party that actually fights for its stated values.
As Representative Steve Cohen bluntly stated after the budget vote: “We cannot expect different results if we keep empowering the same failed leadership. At some point, accountability has to mean something.”
What You Can Do Now
This moment of disappointment can either lead to disengagement or become a catalyst for more effective activism. If you’re frustrated by the Democratic party’s leadership failure on the budget, here are concrete steps you can take to channel that frustration productively:
- Contact Your Representatives
Don’t assume your representatives know how you feel. Call or email both your House representative and your Senators to express your disappointment with this budget surrender. Be specific about which programs and protections matter most to you, and make it clear that you expect more robust opposition to Trump’s agenda going forward. Yes, this is a commonly suggested action that often seems superfluous, but especially at a moment when those in your own party are not representing you effectively, it works.
- Get Involved in Primary Campaigns
The 2026 primary season may seem distant, but campaigns are already forming. Research potential primary challengers to representatives who have not spoken out against this move and who generally do not seem to be supporting aggressive action, and consider donating your time or money to candidates who demonstrate genuine progressive values and strategic courage.
- Support Progressive Organizations
Groups like Justice Democrats, Working Families Party, and Progressive Change Campaign Committee are building infrastructure to challenge establishment Democrats who consistently compromise on core values. These organizations need your support to identify and train the next generation of progressive leaders.
- Join or Form an Accountability Group
Let’s face it, keeping up with politics is exhausting, and it only has become more so as the current administration floods the headlines daily. Connecting with like-minded progressives in your community allows you to collectively track your representatives’ actions, coordinate pressure campaigns, and support each other in sustained activism while not becoming overwhelmed.
Moving Forward
The fight for progressive values is not a sprint, but a marathon of sustained, strategic resistance. This budget failure is not an endpoint, it is a moment that demands our renewed commitment, sharper strategies, and unwavering hope.
We are not just resisting an administration; we are building the future we believe in. Every call made, every primary campaign supported, every community organized represents a brick in the foundation of a more just society. Our power lies not in a single moment of defeat, but in our collective, persistent action.
The Trump administration is counting on our demoralization and division. They want progressives to disengage from a Democratic Party that seems chronically incapable of effective opposition. But that path leads only to further defeat.
The real power of political change lies not in a single moment of surrender, but in the consistent, strategic pressure applied by engaged citizens committed to a fundamental transformation.