Veteran Democrats privately believed Chuck Schumer’s decision on the shutdown was inevitable. Others were ready for the top Senate Democrat to lead them into their first big battle against President Donald Trump — and instead have been left fuming.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has announced he's ready to start the process of considering a Republican-led spending bill to prevent a midnight Friday government shutdown.

N.Y., announced Thursday he would vote to advance Republicans’ six-month funding bill that passed the House to avert a government shutdown Friday night. The move represents a major concession from Schumer,