WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders announced Tuesday that he will not vote to keep Sen. Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader, becoming the most prominent lawmaker to oppose Schumer after Democrats secured the majority in the midterm elections.
Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, appeared at a Capitol news conference to call for fresh leadership and an open debate over the direction of the party. The veteran lawmaker is slated to take over as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in the new Congress.
“I personally have known Chuck Schumer for over 30 years, and I like Chuck,” Sanders told reporters, according to NBC News. “[There’s] nobody who works harder than Chuck Schumer. But in my view, the time is now for change, and I will not be supporting Chuck to be re-elected as the Democratic leader.”
Sanders pointed to the midterm outcome as a clear mandate from voters demanding relief from the cost of living, health care and housing. Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin appeared alongside Sanders, emphasizing that she is not seeking the position herself but wants prospective candidates to outline concrete governing plans. “I am not actively seeking this job. I am seeking change,” Slotkin said, NBC News reported.
Van Hollen considers challenge
The pushback comes as progressive advocacy organizations urge Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland to launch a formal challenge against Schumer. Speaking at a conference on Tuesday, Van Hollen said he is consulting colleagues across the caucus to gauge support for an alternative candidate.
“We should not have a coronation,” Van Hollen told reporters in the Capitol, according to NBC News. He added that lawmakers should not back any leadership candidate without a detailed plan for the next two years.
Asked by NBC News whether he would support eliminating the legislative filibuster in the upcoming session, Sanders said he had not reached a conclusion, noting that while he favors majority rule, he also wants to protect minority rights. Sanders noted that Democrats can accomplish substantial policy goals using the budget reconciliation process, which allows spending and tax bills to pass without being subject to a filibuster.
Schumer projects confidence
Schumer, who has served as leader of Senate Democrats since 2017, maintained Tuesday that he retains broad backing within the caucus. The New York Democrat helped guide the party to a net pickup of at least seven seats in the midterm elections, securing at least 54 seats in the upcoming 120th Congress while ballots continue to be counted in Mississippi and Alaska.
“Our caucus is really united in focusing on bringing down costs, on ending the corruption, on ending the chaos, on ending the war,” Schumer told reporters, according to NBC News. “We have great unity in our caucus, and I’ll be proud to lead it as majority leader.”
Several senators voiced support for Schumer following the announcements. Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona remarked that when a manager leads a team to the World Series, “you give them another contract,” according to NBC News. Incoming Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio also confirmed he will vote for Schumer.
Across the aisle, Senate Republicans re-elected Sen. John Thune of South Dakota as their leader on Tuesday after potential opponents declined to run. Senate Democrats are scheduled to hold their leadership vote in early December, where Schumer will need support from a simple majority of the caucus to retain his post.
