Capitol Hill Democrats are unhappy after Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) accidentally avoided last week's shutdown showdown, and they haven't hidden it.
Maryland Democrat Glen Ivy is the newest member of party leader to take shots. Schumer has spent the past few days in damage control mode, but Ivy told Politico on Wednesday that Democrats “can't miss the moment again.”
In response to a massive blowback, Schumer has spent the last few days defending.
“If he can come gather himself – you know, right this vote and we get another shot with it,” Ivy said. “But if he's going to do the same again when this bill comes out six months later, we can't afford it.”
After the House passed a Republican-led funding bill on March 11, the Senate was tasked with keeping the government open before the March 14 deadline. To vote for the ongoing resolution, the bill had to clear a procedural vote called Cloture, and needed 60 votes.
In other words, Democrats had a decision to pass a funding bill backed by President Donald Trump, or join Republicans across the aisle to delve into their heels and shut down the government.
Schumer initially signaled his support for the shutdown, but later changed his position in favour of passing the CR to avoid the shutdown. Schumer argued that the closure would be worse than the fundraising bill, but his reversal sparked rage across Democrats. In the end, 10 Democrats joined 52 Republicans, moving the bill forward.
“We have a limited number of shots that we can fight against the Trump administration and what they're doing,” Ivy said. “We can't miss that moment again.”
Several prominent Democrats, such as former speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), denounced Schumer's approach, and the ranks and files felt almost the same. Ivy reiterated his colleague's concerns about Schumer, saying, “Maybe he needs to go.”
“Last week, Hakeem met that moment,” Ivey said. “Schumer missed it.”
In response to a massive blowback, Schumer has spent the last few days defending. Schumer postponed his book tour and made several media hits over the weekend to maintain his reputation. Still, the Democrats aren't buying it.
“No one has to have the same temperament, no one has to have the same messaging,” Ivy said.
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