WASHINGTON — Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has stated that he will not resign from his leadership position, despite facing pressure from certain members of his party. This comes after his controversial decision to advance a Republican-led spending bill, which effectively averted a potential government shutdown.
“I’m not stepping down,” Schumer declared during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. The senator from New York acknowledged that his vote in favor of the bill, which was backed by Republican President Donald Trump, had stirred significant controversy. “I did it out of pure conviction as to what a leader should do and what the right thing for America and my party was,” he explained. “People disagree.”
Democrats found themselves in a difficult situation last week, faced with a choice between supporting a bill they feared would grant Trump excessive control over spending decisions or allowing government funding to lapse. When Schumer announced his intention to support the bill, ten Democrats joined him in breaking the party’s filibuster, ultimately allowing the spending measure to pass.
Schumer’s actions have provoked backlash from several Democrats and progressive activists, who have staged protests at his office and demanded his resignation. Some have even suggested a primary challenge from New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In response to the outcry, Schumer canceled his book tour as progressive activists planned demonstrations. Though Schumer will not be up for reelection until 2028, he described the spending bill that funds the government through September as “certainly bad.” Nonetheless, he maintained that failing to vote for the funding would have proved “15 or 20 times worse.” He characterized his decision as a “vote of principle,” emphasizing the sometimes difficult choices leaders must make to avert looming threats.
On ABC’s “This Week,” Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont voiced criticism of Schumer and other Senate Democratic leaders but notably cut the interview short when questioned about the prospect of Ocasio-Cortez running for the Senate. “I don’t want to talk about inside-the-beltway stuff,” Sanders remarked.
Meanwhile, progressive Representative Ro Khanna from California, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” acknowledged the frustration and disappointment within the progressive community regarding the Senate’s actions. Khanna stressed the lack of attempts by Senate Democrats to negotiate concessions in exchange for their support of the GOP-backed package, particularly concerning potential limits on government spending and job cuts spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk on Trump’s behalf.
When asked if he would support a potential primary challenge from Ocasio-Cortez against Schumer in 2028, Khanna stated that such a decision would be up to the congresswoman. “I haven’t talked to her directly,” Khanna admitted, adding, “But here’s what I will say: The American people are fed up with the old guard. There needs to be a renewal.”