Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says he will vote to keep the government open, warning that a shutdown has worse consequences for Americans and would only empower President Donald Trump and Elon Musk further.

"I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country to minimize the harms to the American people. Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down," Schumer said while speaking on the Senate floor on Thursday. 

The Democratic leader rattled off a list of reasons he disagrees with the House-passed stopgap spending bill, but added, "I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option."

DEM HEARD SCREAMING AT COLLEAGUES DESPITE SCHUMER’S UNITY CLAIM AS SHUTDOWN LOOMS

A vote to limit debate on the short-term spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is tentatively scheduled for sometime after 1:15 p.m. on Friday. There is not a set time for a final confirmation vote yet, and it is uncertain whether the measure will garner enough Democratic votes to move forward. 

Schumer told reporters on Thursday night that he made his decision because, "We want the attention of the American people, not focused on different bills that they would bring to the floor during the shutdown. We'd rather focus on our message, which is beginning to work."

According to him, the Democrats' message is that "they're hurting the middle class to give tax breaks for the billionaires."

When asked what changed between Wednesday and Thursday to prompt his decision, the Democratic leader told reporters, "As of yesterday there were not enough votes to pass it."

SENATE REPUBLICANS COIN 'SCHUMER SHUTDOWN' AHEAD OF CRITICAL VOTE ON TRUMP SPENDING BILL

"I thought I would let people know that," Schumer explained. "But there were a bunch of undecided votes. And as members study it and look at it, each is making his or her own decision."

Schumer's floor announcement comes after days of tense Democratic Senate caucus meetings, the most recent of which featured yelling so loud it could be heard through the wooden door by the press, who believed it to be coming from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., though her office could not confirm. 

He had claimed in remarks on Wednesday that his caucus was "unified," and that they backed an alternative CR that would last just one month, as opposed to the House-passed bill. 

The continuing resolution, which passed through the House on Tuesday in a nearly party-line vote of 217-213, would keep the government open for the next six months, for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

But the unity Schumer described was not evident as divisions quickly became apparent between Democrats. 

CANADA EXPLOITING 'LOOPHOLE' HURTING US DAIRY FARMERS AMID TRUMP TARIFFS, SENATORS SAY

"I've seen the videos that they're going to shut it down," Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who has fiercely criticized those willing to shut the government down, told reporters. 

"I'm like, that's spicy. Spicy, I don't know," he told reporters sarcastically. "I don't know if they'll do it or not." 

He was referring to several of his colleagues who had preemptively said they planned to oppose the stopgap bill's advancement. 

One of the lawmakers to do so, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., told reporters there are "no good choices," while defending his decision. 

Questioned about his claim of caucus unity, Schumer's office did not provide comment to Fox News Digital in time for publication. 

FETTERMAN MAVERICK PERSONA DOESN'T TRANSLATE AS SENATOR HELPS BLOCK TRANS SPORTS BILL

If a spending bill is not passed by 11:59 on Friday, the government will officially enter a shutdown. 

Fetterman claimed that allowing that to happen would be "a gift for the Republicans."

"In fact, if anything, I think, they're effectively daring us to do that," he said. 

Democrats in Congress have long criticized their Republican counterparts for being seemingly much more willing to allow a shutdown to take place, with some even considering it necessary. 

On the other hand, lawmakers in the Democratic Party have consistently opposed doing so and allowing it to happen in this case would be a significant departure. 

Fox News Digital's Danielle Wallace contributed to this report. 

Which twenty-six Reds will we see?

A good bit has changed about the nature of the Cincinnati Reds roster mix since last we gave our best guess at who might be included on it come Opening Day.

Spencer Steer’s shoulder maintained its issues, and he received a cortisone shot back on March 1st. Andrew Abbott, though, has seen his shoulder progress well enough that he threw a pair of IP in a AAA game just yesterday. Rhett Lowder is still behind schedule, unfortunately, but at least it looks like he’s moving forward and not backwards. Speaking of ‘back,’ Tyler Stephenson headed for an MRI after lingering back pain.

Rule 5 draftee Cooper Bowman was sent back to the Oaksacvegas Athletics, while former top prospect Noelvi Marte was officially sent down to AAA.

That’s a lot to process, as are the risks of losing players in camp as non-roster invitees if they aren’t selected to start the season. Same goes for players with no options remaining, as they very well could be scooped up on waivers if not placed on the roster from day one.

With Opening Day now less that two weeks away (!!), here’s our latest, greatest estimate of which Reds will make up the Opening Day roster.

Catcher

I’ve got Tyler Stephenson (1) still on here alongside Jose Trevino (2), as all initial reports on Ty Steve’s back are that his issue is minor. It may mean we see more of Jose in the lineup early on, so far there’s nothing to suggest these aren’t the two backstops they’ll carry from day one.

Infielders (5)

Elly De La Cruz (3) and Matt McLain (4) are the cornerstones of this team, and they’ll form the middle infield. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (5) and Jeimer Candelario (6) seem to be locks in the corner rotation, while Santiago Espinal (7) has solidified his spot as the do-it-all infielder in reserve.

Gavin Lux

Gavin Lux (8)! He’ll see time at 3B, 2B, LF, and even at DH when the time is right. Since I’ve got Spencer Steer beginning the year on the IL, Lux’s versatility will help offset that usually created by having Steer on the roster for the time being.

Outfielders (5)

TJ Friedl (9) is back and healthy and poised to be the everyday CF and leadoff man all 4-WAR style once again. He’ll be flanked by Jake Fraley (10) and Austin Hays (11) most days, with Stuart Fairchild (12) a RHH option on days when Terry Francona wants to stack those up against southpaws. That brings us to Blake Dunn (13), whose RHH ability wins out in this mix over Will Benson since Lux, a LHH, is filling the ‘move anywhere when it’s time to switch’ role previously occupied by Steer, a RHH. In other words, I think Francona will choose to have one more righty bat around than another lefty.

Starting Rotation

Hunter Greene (14) will start on Opening Day, as well he should. He’ll be flanked in some order by each of Nick Martinez (15), Brady Singer (16), and Nick Lodolo (17) for sure at this point. Since the season is long as all heck, I just don’t think the Reds will rush back Andrew Abbott at anything less than ‘full stretched out,’ so I expect him to begin on the IL and miss a turn or two through the rotation - if anything, that may make him even more valuable down the stretch in August/September. I think the Reds carry Carson Spiers (18) as something of ‘starter on an expected bullpen day’ for the time being.

Bullpen

I don’t believe Graham Ashcraft (19) starts the year in the minors - rather, I think he’s carried as the piggyback guy for Spiers’ turn through the rotation with the expecation that he can fill-in for multiple IP when needed in a role akin to how Martinez began last year. Brent Suter (20), Sam Moll (21), and Taylor Rogers (22) form the LHP corps in the ‘pen, while Alexis Díaz (23) will resume his role as the closer. RHP options Emilio Pagán (24) and Scott Barlow (25) have guaranteed money on their deals, so they’ll be down there until they prove ten times they shouldn’t be, leaving one final spot that I’m expected to be filled by Tony Santillan (26) - he pitched well enough last year to deserve it and he’s out of options, so that’s a no-brainer.

Notes

Steer and Abbott are the two notable omissions here. Despite how dismal the Reds have begun seasons in recent memory (and how much that has folded any and all optimism entering those years immediately), I just think they’ll play it safe with them (and Lowder). Abbott getting ~27-28 starts is still very much viable, as is Steer surpassing 550 PA.

Ian Gibaut being back in camp is cool, and he’s fanned 8 against a lone walk in 7.0 IP so far this spring. He’s not on the roster, however, as a NRI on a minor league deal, so I don’t expect him to beat out the rest of the options above. That said, I do think he’s showing enough right now to firmly be in the mix as the first bullpen arm promoted when the inevitable dings happen to the rostered names ahead of him.

Chase Petty has looked really, really solid so far in camp, and at this rate he’ll make his debut (and more) as a Red at some point this year...just not on Opening Day or in the first few turns of the rotation, assuming all goes well elsewhere.