Schumer's stance is at odds with demands from progressive activists, who have been urging Democrats to block all business in the Senate and refuse to collaborate with Republicans so long as the Trump administration continues to disregard federal law and Congress' constitutional authority over spending.

The Senate minority leader told fellow lawmakers he plans to use their leverage to slow or stop Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk from gutting crucial government programs.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) in a letter to colleagues Monday warned of the possibility of a “Trump shutdown” and reminded fellow senators that Democrats have the power to make or break any bill to fund the government past March 14.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, took to the Senate floor last week to note the damage a federal funding shutoff had at Cattaraugus-Wyoming Project Head Start.