WASHINGTON — Democrats and progressives exploded with outrage after the Senate took a giant leap toward reopening the government Sunday night, with many calling for Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s ouster.
Schumer (D-NY), who voted against the bipartisan package to end the longest government shutdown in US history, was slammed for failing to prevent five Democratic defections that allowed the measure to advance, despite Republicans making no concessions on keeping ObamaCare subsidies due to expire at the end of this year.
“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) chided on X. “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”
“Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership,” jeered Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), who launched his primary challenged to Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) last month, on X. “If @ChuckSchumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on healthcare.
“Maybe now @EdMarkey will finally join me in pledging not to vote for Schumer [as conference leader after the 2026 elections]?”
The quintet — Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Jacky Rosen of Nevada — voted to end debate on a deal whose main terms had been offered by Republicans weeks ago.
In exchange for their vote to advance the package, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) agreed to give Democrats a vote on extending the enhanced Obamacare subsidies, but did not guarantee its passage — and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) hasn’t even committed to taking the measure up in the lower chamber.
