Privately, many Senate Democrats conceded that their leader was doing his job by protecting his members from a tough vote and making a politically painful decision. But the backlash from his party was intense.

In interview, the Senate minority leader said intraparty critics underestimated the dangers of a funding lapse.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s calculated call to avoid a disruptive government shutdown alienates a political base enraged by President Donald Trump’s policies and frustrated at party elders’ cautious response.

Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, continued to face criticism from members of his own party after he reversed course and allowed the stopgap spending bill to come to a vote.

Democrat Congresswoman Becca Balint took aim at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer after his abrupt U-turn on the GOP-backed funding bill. “The fact that the leader said one thing and then within 24 hours did an about face,