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.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told Axios on Tuesday that he's willing to place holds on Trump nominees on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Blumenthal said the caucus is proceeding as if there is a blanket hold on Trump nominations.

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.