Democrats may be furious about how Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., handled a faceoff with Republicans over a government shutdown, but it does not appear his leadership position is in jeopardy.
No alternative to Schumer has stepped forward and Democrats do not have the stomach for a leadership contest, Politico reported. Senators appear to have fallen in line behind Schumer and are simply hoping for the best, Politico said.
Schumer voted to advance a Republican stopgap spending bill rather than risk a government shutdown. Schumer has defended his decision by saying that voting for the continuing resolution was the best of a bad option.
"As bad as passing the continuing resolution would be, I believe a government shutdown is far worse," Schumer said.
Despite the outrage from the left, including calls for his resignation from progressive groups, Schumer has kept his caucus together.
"Chuck's been reaching out to everyone and having conversations with folks, which I appreciate," said Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., told Politico.
Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., a newcomer to the upper chamber told Politico when it comes to Schumer's leadership, "We're still talking it through."
"I want to see what the strategy is going forward," Kim said. "If I feel like it's moving in a direction I can go, I'll have some greater confidence. But if not, then I'll certainly make that known."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was a harsh critic of Schumer's decision, with many calling on her to primary Schumer in 2028, which she has not yet ruled out.
A Democrat donor told Politico that while they think Schumer is ineffective, there simply is no other alternative.
"That's a major barrier to any donor momentum to pressure him out," a donor told Politico. "If somebody signaled to donors they wanted to be that alternative, I do think there would be real movement around that. But it hasn't come yet."
Another Democrat donor said many fundraisers believe Schumer is "deeply pathetic," Politico reported.
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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