They Avoided a Shutdown. We Won’t Avoid the Truth.

What the Senate’s vote really means—and why our fight isn’t even close to done.

Mar 15, 2025

The Senate passed the Continuing Resolution (CR), 54-46. Every Republican, besides Rand Paul, voted yes. So did Senator Schumer, Senator Durbin (Chicago’s own), and a eight other Democrats. This prevents a shutdown of our Federal Government, meaning federal workers won’t miss paychecks. That matters—missing pay is no small thing, especially when many live paycheck-to-paycheck.

But let’s cut through the spin… this isn’t a win. It's a compromise we can’t ignore.

Durbin Let Us Down.

Senator Durbin voting for this resolution hits different. We acknowledge the logic: avoid a shutdown, prevent greater harm. But Durbin, who is supposed to represent our city signs off on decisions we fundamentally oppose. We expected better, and we’re justified in this disappointment.

A shutdown would’ve hurt.

But the narrative sold to us—that everything would grind to a halt—is as per usual, exaggerated.

Services would slow down, and yes, there would be disruption. But they wouldn’t disappear.
The courts wouldn’t close completely, they'd function unpaid.
Essential personnel like law enforcement, border security and TSA agents would remain active, working without immediate compensation.

But here’s where things get more complicated. Trump’s team saw the shutdown as an opportunity. And Republicans followed. Plus 10 Democrats. Trump thrives in chaos. He would've gladly prolonged the shutdown, weaponizing the pain against his opponents. Republicans weren’t looking for solutions. They were manufacturing a crisis. Trump relies on uncertainty and anxiety. He needs division and anger. Shutdown drama fed him. Every moment of confusion, he consolidates power.

Exactly Where Your Money’s Going—And Where It Isn’t.

Defense Gets $6 Billion—But Not for Marines. Not for Soldiers, the Air Force, the Navy or Coast Guard. Just big defense companies profiting, building weapons for wars that don’t end. Meanwhile, our local schools struggle for basic funding, and healthcare centers close their doors. Real communities suffer while corporate profits grow.(House.Gov)

ICE Gets Nearly $10 Billion. More money for raids, detentions, and tearing families apart. This isn’t safety—it’s state-sponsored intimidation. This funding means trauma for immigrant families and communities already targeted by fear-based policies. NPR

$13 Billion Gone From Essential Programs. Education, healthcare, affordable housing, infrastructure—programs that lift families up and hold communities together—take big hits. This isn’t abstract; it’s overcrowded classrooms in West Side schools, longer waitlists at South Side clinics, broken trains, and fewer affordable apartments. Every neighborhood in America will feel this. (SfChronicle)

EPA Funding Slashed by $1.8 Billion
This isn’t trimming fat; it’s weakening protections that safeguard our air, water, and health. Enforcement slows, pollution controls ease and corporate polluters benefit while families breathe dirtier air and face contaminated water. Asthma rates rise. Chronic illnesses worsen. Profit-driven polluters win, while everyday people lose access to clean air and clean water. (AP)

$900 Million Stripped from Medical Research (NIH)
Life-saving discoveries, vaccines, cancer treatments, mental health advancements—all delayed, stalled, or lost entirely. Funding cuts here don’t just appear as numbers on paper… they manifest as fewer answers for critical illnesses, more suffering, and fewer breakthroughs that could have saved lives. Families hoping for cures will wait longer, or forever. (The Atlantic)

Additionally, the NIH plans to terminate hundreds of active research grants, particularly those related to studies on LGBT+ health, gender identity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the biomedical workforce. (nature.com)

Chicago’s Senator Let Us Down.

Watching Senator Durbin stand with Republicans hits different. We acknowledge the logic: avoid a shutdown, prevent greater harm. But Durbin, who is supposed to represent our city signs off on decisions we fundamentally oppose. We expected better, and we’re justified in this disappointment. But we won’t let pain distract us. The fight’s still ahead.

Don’t Fall for the Distraction. Trump and Republicans are the Real Threat.

Sure, frustration at Durbin and others makes sense. But it’s exactly what Trump wants. Trump and his Republican enablers thrive when we’re busy pointing fingers at allies rather than confronting their systematic dismantling of our democracy.

Our fight isn't against Durbin. Although we won’’t forget. It's against authoritarian tactics, unchecked power grabs and systematic discrimination. It's for democracy, civil rights, economic fairness—values WE demand.

Eyes Forward, Chicago. Early April is Our Moment.

This CR won’t last long. It’s a temporary measure, only funding the government until September 30. Congress revisits these budget issues in April giving us another critical chance to speak out and demand better.

We are Chicago. We are united. We know who we are fighting for, and we know what we're standing against.

Here's what we do now:

Get ready to show up: Early next month, peaceful actions will take place across Chicago and nationwide. Be ready to join, to speak out and to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who share our vision of justice, equality and genuine safety.
Stay informed: Knowledge gives us power. Share clear, accurate information about what’s happening and why it matters.
Talk to your neighbors, friends, and families: Conversations are important. Your voice has power, especially in your local community, with your family and friends.

Today stung—but tomorrow is a new chance. Chaos King Trump can try to distract us, but he will never defeat us. We are resilient and determined to fight back.

Our next move is coming in early April. And this time, we'll make sure they hear us loud and clear.

For those who don't know us yet, 50501 is a group of workers, veterans, students and community members united against political repression and dedicated to peaceful resistance.

50501 stands for: 50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement.

Join us and get loud.

50501 Chicago Chapter Socials:
Instagram: @50501Chicago
Reddit: r/50501Chicago
TikTok: @50501Chicago
Mastodon: https://mas.to/@50501Chicago
Pixelfed: @50501Chicago@pixelfed.social
National 50501 Movement:
Official Website:
https://www.fiftyfifty.one
Reddit Community: r/50501