Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is on his way out, according to numerous rumors.
And these reports indicate that the retirement announcement is coming soon.
Democratic senators expect Schumer to step aside soon, according to Puck News. The 74-year-old New York Democrat has faced his most serious political crisis in decades as party leader following the 40-day shutdown that ended Monday when seven Democrats and one independent joined Republicans to pass a funding deal.
Several House Democrats has since publicly called for Schumer’s removal as leader.
“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) recently said.
The government funding deal “is another example of why we need new leadership. If Chuck Schumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on healthcare,” said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), who is running for Senate.
“The Democratic Party needs leaders who fight and deliver for working people. Schumer should step down,” Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, considered the 2028 Democratic presidential primary frontrunner, criticized the deal without naming Schumer directly.
The “Senate vote on the federal government shutdown should have been a time for strength. Instead we saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans,” Newsom said.
The shutdown ended in Democratic defeat after Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Angus King, Dick Durbin, Jacky Rosen, Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, and Tim Kaine joined Republicans to pass a funding bill without major spending increases.
Schumer voted against the deal but faces blame from the socialist wing of the party, who argue he either lacked influence to prevent the defections or allowed centrist Democrats to cut a deal.
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin told reporters Schumer gave “neither a blessing or a curse” to members who backed the Republican deal.
Schumer’s support has collapsed throughout the party. Centrists Democratic senators have avoided directly backing Schumer when asked.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-A.Z.) initially deflected questions about confidence in Schumer’s leadership before acknowledging it had been a “rough” time for Senate Democrats.
“I’ve been here four and a half years now, and [Schumer has] been the leader, and I understand why people look at this and say, well, this was kind of a rough period,” Kelly said.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-N.Y.) said Schumer has “a very hard job” but warned that continued defections would be “a problem for anyone who’s in that position.” Murphy called for “more effective leadership” and said Democrats need a conversation to “stop having a group of members cross over and support Donald Trump’s agenda.”
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-M.D.) remained silent on Schumer’s future when pressed for confidence in the leader.
“I was glad to see that kind of unity. I’m disappointed in the result, but we will fight on another day,” Van Hollen said.
Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D.N.Y.) has openly criticized Schumer, and it has been speculated that she is planning to challenge Schumer in the 2028 Democratic primary.
“I think what is so important for folks to understand is that this problem is bigger than one person, and it actually is bigger than the minority leader in the Senate,” Ocasio-Cortez told reporters Wednesday. “You had eight Senate Democrats who coordinated their own votes on this. A leader is a reflection of the party, and Senate Democrats have selected their leadership to represent them. And so the question needs to be bigger than just one person.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) was more direct, and said Schumer’s resignation was certain.
“Get ready for the announcement that this will be his final term,” Lawler said.
Schumer turns 75 in November and faces civil war within his caucus about generational change, particularly after Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced her retirement from Congress last week.
Expect his resignation soon.