Chuck Schumer Survived The Shutdown Fight, But His Real Test Is Coming

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision not to block a Republican spending bill earlier this month unleashed a tidal wave of anger within the Democratic Party, prompting calls for him to step aside and shaking his hold on his caucus like never before.

But the New York senator is not out of the woods just yet. Under-fire congressional leaders historically struggle to shake off intra-party criticisms, and how he handles a battle against a massive GOP plan to extend tax cuts for the wealthy and the need to recruit candidates for the 2026 midterms will be closely watched, especially by angry constituents who feel Democrats aren’t taking the moment seriously.

“I think this has been a wake-up call for all of us,” Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said Tuesday. “The base is rightly terrified about the lawlessness of the Trump administration, and I’m seeing the caucus is really internalizing that.”