Calls for Leadership Change Among Senate Democrats

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is urging Senate Democrats to consider replacing Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as their leader. This comes after eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus voted late Sunday to initiate the reopening of the federal government.

Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley and identifies as a progressive, voiced his concerns on social media. He suggested that if Schumer is unable to maintain unity within his caucus for a funding bill that does not expand health insurance subsidies, then perhaps he shouldn’t lead the Senate Democrats. “Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be removed. If you can’t lead the fight to stop Americans from rising health insurance premiums, what are you fighting for?” Khanna posted.

Progressive Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) also expressed dissatisfaction with Schumer, highlighting the lack of support for the Democratic mayoral candidate in New York, Zoran Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist. Pocan remarked, “Don’t support or say who you voted for in New York City despite the Democratic nominee. Let Democratic senators negotiate a terrible ‘deal’ that does nothing substantive on health care. Ruins the national political party. What is the profile of the tragedy? Next,” he tweeted.

During the government shutdown, Schumer and Senate Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York spearheaded a communications strategy, emphasizing the need to oppose a clean continuation resolution from the House because it didn’t extend insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

Initially, most Democratic senators backed these arguments, which contributed to the 41-day government shutdown. However, on Sunday, five additional Democrats joined three of their colleagues in voting for the House-passed bill to resume federal operations.

Among those voting in favor were Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Nev.), Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-Va.), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), along with independents Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Sen. Angus King (Maine).

Democrats have previously rejected this bill 14 times in the Senate. After the vote, Shaheen noted that extended shutdowns had made it clear that Republicans were unwilling to modify the government funding bill, even with further delays.

She responded to calls, including from Khanna, for Schumer’s removal. “When you talk to New Hampshire voters, you know what they say, ‘Why can’t we all work together to address the problems facing this country?'” Shaheen told reporters, adding, “We put the Senate back on track to start doing that today, and we will continue to work that way.”