Chuck Schumer It’s hurt, but not beaten – at least not yet.
Two weeks after Senate minority leaders joined forces with Republicans to prevent government shutdowns, Democrats still smoke about how he handled the standoffs. However, many of the parties admit that they’re sticking to him for the time being.
Neither the obvious alternative to Schumer’s emergence nor the appetite among the majority of Senate Democrats in the messy leadership contest, lawmakers show that they are falling behind New Yorkers and wanting the best to prepare for the upcoming fight. Some frustrated democratic donors do the same math.
After Schumer voted to advance Republican suspension measures, he appeared in the media, suing his lawsuits with lawmakers, working with liberal groups and mobile phones to incite media appearances. He avoided exile within his caucus, even if a handful of House members and progressive activists outside called on him to step aside. And Schumer’s apparent omnipresent allowed him to run out of watches until another news cycle (on the Trump administration’s war planning group chat).
“Chuck has reached out to everyone and talked to people. Ben Ray Luhan (DN.M.) Wednesday. We were asked if there was any debate about replacing Schumer as the leader. Tim Kane (d-va.) Added: “Not within the Caucus.”
Instead, Schumer works to convince his members that he understands he needs to strengthen his tactics. “In fact, leader Schumer has shown us in an updated or more powerful way of showing the type of vision and energy we need right now,” the senator said. Richard Blumenthal (d-conn.), refers to the closed door discussion, the Democratic floor strategy, and future actions from the Caucus.
Some Democrats, donors and activists warn Schumer that he is currently under a political microscope, and many are closely watching how they handle debt restrictions, the Republicans’ planned domestic policy agenda and the congressional fight on government funding.
Even some members of Schumer’s Caucus said he still has work to do to win confidence. Senators asked about Schumer’s leadership on Wednesday. Andy Kim (Dn.J.) said, “We’re still talking about it.”
“I want to see what the strategy is moving forward,” he said. “If it feels like it’s moving in a direction, you can go and I have more confidence, but if not, I will certainly let it know.”
Schumer’s vote exposed a wider rift in the party about how to counter President Donald Trump in his second term. The vote prompted a minority of House members to publicly propose or call for Schumer to come aside. Some liberal groups have a stronger leadership demand.
“Schumer made a disastrous decision,” the official said. Greg Casar (D-Texas), chairman of the Congress’ progressive Caucus, later adding that he “hopes” Schumer and Senate Democrats would like to fight Republicans. Otherwise, he said, “If voters don’t see it themselves, they’re trying to show it to voters.”
It wasn’t just after Schumer’s leadership role. They were angry enough to call his seat.
manager Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (DN.Y.) has received personal encouragement from Democratic House members, including members of the Battlefield District, to put Schumer into a major challenge in 2028.
“My focus is on our strength in this particular moment and what we can do now to get up for our workers and become a party to protect Republican cuts,” she said in a brief interview. When asked if Schumer should remain leader, she said the issue was “so little for certain people.”
However, the decision by some House Democrats to intervene in the discussion of Senate leaders ranked some senators, including former House members. Luhan asked about the criticism from his former colleague, saying, “I am not aware of any of my colleagues who are voting for Senate leadership.”
Within the Senate, Schumer took steps to acknowledge his anger and disappointment over the surrender of spending. Kane said Wednesday that Schumer was “very open and humble” when addressing his colleagues at his private lunch on Tuesday. Unlike lunch that led to a government funding vote where you can hear the senators scream, the moment of applause was heard at the first meeting after the break.
The result, he said, was “a very productive argument,” about ‘what’s different about us.’
A Schumer spokesman did not provide comment on the article.
Senate Democrats have admitted they have not yet fully landed in what they believe they had escaped them just two weeks ago. But they make it clear that at least their public focus is on the Trump administration, working to push for a battle over a debt cap and a GOP tax plan.
“My number one priority is to end the lawlessness of the Trump administration. My next priority is to end the lawlessness of the Trump administration. …I think you’ll get my drift,” the senator said. Ron Wyden (d-ore.), when asked about Schumer’s leadership questions.
Outside of Congress, major Democratic donors are furious about Schumer’s handling of the GOP funding bill and his leadership in general. But people close to fundraising said there’s not much they can do without a clear successor. The next Senate Leadership Contest could already have vacant seats at the top of their ranks if there is a Democrat Whip after the 2026 election Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) Retirement. Schumer only needs a simple majority of his caucus to win if he is running again for the top spot.
The donor said “I don’t think he’s working, but the question is who else is trying to intervene, that’s where things get stuck,” said a Democrat donor adviser who, like everyone else in the story, was given anonymous to discuss private conversations.
“The senator hasn’t presented himself as an alternative, so that’s a huge barrier to the donor’s momentum to put pressure on him,” the second Democratic adviser said. “If someone signaled the donor, they wanted to be that alternative, but I think there’s a real move on it, but it’s not here yet.”
The third Democratic adviser said fundraiser thought Schumer was “deeply pathetic,” but “I think he crushed a lot of certain rumbles.”
The House of Representatives who fumed publicly and personally in Schumer after he and a Senate Democrat group voted to advance the GOP funding bill, heard ears from their constituents who demanded stronger, public resistance against Trump last week.
Even Swing District Democrats who could face pressure to work with Trump have admitted that their voters wanted them to push back. All but one House Democrat, in charge. Jared Golden (D-Maine) voted against the funding bill.
Members “want to see more from us,” the official said. Chris Papas (DN.H.), who was able to make a Senate bid for the successful retirement senator. Jeanne Shaheen (DN.H.). “They know that other fights will unfold. They are interested in what we are digging into and getting up and up.”
And others dismissed speculation about Schumer’s future, and they focused on their current battle with Trump.
“So, this isn’t about attacks, not a crime, like baseball’s political leadership. No one gives fuck. They want to know, are we fighting for them? Are we going to protect them? The person in charge said. Pat Ryan (dn.y.).
