House Democrats call for Chuck Schumer to resign over shutdown deal.

2 hours ago7 min read3 comments

The Democratic party is facing its most significant internal rebellion since the effort to push President Biden off the ticket last summer, as a growing coalition of House Democrats demands Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's resignation following a contentious government shutdown deal. This isn't just procedural grumbling; it's a full-scale political insurgency playing out in real time.Representative Becca Balint of Vermont captured the mood perfectly, telling Axios the sentiment is 'very widespread' and that constituents are demanding 'something different. ' The flashpoint came when eight Senate Democrats crossed party lines to side with Republicans, cutting a deal to reopen the government that many House members view as fundamentally inadequate.The agreement hinges on a Republican promise for a future vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits—a provision facing an uphill battle in the Senate and near-certain death in the House. While Schumer personally voted against the deal and privately fought to stop it, his critics argue that leadership isn't about personal stance but about maintaining discipline.'I think he should step down. They should get somebody new,' declared Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington, who believes Schumer privately blessed the deal despite public opposition.This sentiment echoes through the ranks, with Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona stating it's 'past time to start thinking about new leadership for Senate Democrats that meets the moment and the urgency we're facing right now. ' The rebellion has now expanded to include Representatives Glenn Ivey, Delia Ramirez, Ro Khanna, Mike Levin, Seth Moulton, Rashida Tlaib, Veronica Escobar, Shri Thanedar, and Sylvia Garcia—creating a critical mass that cannot be ignored.Ivey, who initially called for Schumer's resignation back in March, confirmed 'there's definitely a lot of anger' circulating through Democratic circles. What makes this political theater particularly fascinating is the strategic dimension.These House Democrats are essentially running a campaign against their own Senate leader, understanding they have limited direct power to remove him but hoping to create enough pressure to force his hand. The dynamics recall historical leadership challenges, though Schumer maintains significant institutional support.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries continues to stand behind his colleague, with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi explicitly stating Schumer 'should' stay on. For some members, that endorsement is sufficient.'If he's good enough for Hakeem Jeffries, he's good enough for me,' said Representative James Walkinshaw of Virginia, highlighting the factional divisions within the party. Meanwhile, newly sworn-in Representative Adelita Grijalva of Arizona exemplified the caution some feel, noting 'I literally just got here, and I don't want to start picking fights.' The strategic calculus becomes even more complex when considering that no Senate Democrats have publicly joined the call for Schumer's resignation, creating an interesting House-versus-Senate dynamic that reflects deeper institutional tensions. In a closed-door caucus meeting, Representative Susie Lee of Nevada reportedly urged colleagues to redirect their fire toward Republicans rather than each other, telling them 'stop pissing on each other and start pissing on them'—a crude but telling metaphor for the party's internal debate about where to focus energy.This internal conflict comes at a precarious moment for Democrats, who must balance the need for party unity against genuine concerns about leadership effectiveness. The situation mirrors corporate leadership challenges where boards must decide whether to stick with established leadership during turbulent times or seek new direction.For Schumer, the path forward involves not just managing policy but navigating these complex internal politics, proving he can both represent progressive values and maintain party cohesion in the face of Republican opposition. The coming weeks will reveal whether this rebellion gains sufficient momentum to force real change or dissipates into the background noise of Washington politics.

#lead focus news

#Chuck Schumer

#government shutdown

#Democratic Party

#internal conflict

#resignation calls

#House Democrats

#Senate leadership

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