WASHINGTON — Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer signaled privately Thursday he’s ready to start the process of considering a Republican-led government funding bill, as Democrats are fiercely divided under pressure to impose limits on the Trump administration on the eve of a shutdown deadline.

Schumer told Democrats at a spirited closed-door lunch that he would be voting to proceed to the bill when it comes up Friday, which will be hours before the midnight deadline. His comments, first reported by The New York Times, were confirmed by two people familiar with the matter and granted anonymity to discuss it.

People have strong views on both sides,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who is opposed to the package.

The move by Schumer brings a potential resolution to what has been a dayslong standoff. Senate Democrats have mounted a last-ditch protest over the package, which already passed the House but without slapping any limits they were demanding on President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts to gut federal operations.

The Democrats are under intense pressure to do whatever they can to stop the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, which is taking a wrecking ball to long-established government agencies and purging thousands of federal workers from jobs.

Trump himself offered to wade in Thursday to negotiate:

But the president also began casting blame on Democrats for any potential disruptions, saying during an Oval Office meeting,

Democrats are pushing a stopgap 30-day funding bill as an alternative. But its prospects are dim in the Congress controlled by Republicans. And it’s unlikely the Democrats would allow a government shutdown, worried about the further chaos they say Trump and Musk could cause.

As the Senate opened Thursday, with one day to go before Friday’s midnight deadline, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said,

Debates over funding the federal government routinely erupt in deadline moments, but this year it’s showing the political leverage of Republicans, newly in majority control of the White House and Congress, and the shortcomings of Democrats who are finding themselves unable to stop the Trump administration’s march across federal operations.

In a rare turn of events, House Republicans stuck together to pass their bill, with many conservatives cheering the DOGE cuts leaving Democrats sidelined as they stood opposed. The House then left town, sending it to the Senate for final action.

Options for Schumer are limited, especially as the party is wary of fully withholding their votes and being blamed for a full shutdown of services.

Schumer announced that Democrats were unified in pressing for a 30-day stopgap measure as an alternative to the House-passed bill, which would instead fund operations through the end of the budget year in September.

With his party united, Schumer said the Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority, lack the support needed to reach the 60-vote threshold, which is required to overcome a filibuster.

But Senate Republicans have shown little interest in Schumer’s offer.

As senators convened behind closed doors for another day of meetings, what is more likely is that they will have a chance to vote on the Democrats’ stopgap measure. If it fails as expected, the Senate would then turn to the broader bill for passage, hours before Friday’s midnight deadline.

said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.

Over the next 24 hours, Democrats face this choice: Provide the votes needed to advance the package or stand in the way of passing the funding bill in time to avoid a shutdown when money expires midnight Friday.

predicted Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn.

Cornyn said the Democrats He added,

But progressive Democrats, including allies in the House, are pushing Democrats to draw the line against Trump — even if it courts a federal shutdown.

Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said on social media that the House GOP bill will

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stepped into the fray, seeking to shift attention from Trump’s potentially damaging tariff war that has sent shudders through the U.S. economy.

Bessent said outside the White House.

But Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has called Trump and Musk about what American families need.

In an highly unusual turn, the House package also required the District of Columbia, which already approved its own balanced budget, to revert back to 2024 levels, drawing outcry from the mayor and city leaders. They warn of steep reductions to city services.

Democratic senators are assessing next steps.

said Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.