Washington Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California has put the blame on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer following a deal between several Senate Democrats and Republicans aimed at ending the government shutdown. Khanna called for Schumer to step aside from his leadership position.
“He’s the leader of the Senate. This deal would never have happened if he had not blessed it. Don’t take my word for it. Take the word of other senators who are saying that they kept Sen. Schumer in the loop the whole time,” Khanna said in an interview with CBS News’ “The Takeout,” airing in full Monday.
Khanna continued, “Look, I’ve worked with Sen. Schumer. He did an incredible job on the CHIPS Act, on the [Inflation Reduction Act], on infrastructure. But it’s time for him to be replaced. He is not meeting the moment. He’s out of touch with where the party’s base is.”
Khanna first questioned the New York Democrat’s ability to lead on Sunday night after eight Democrats voted with Republicans to advance a short-term funding measure. In a post on X, Khanna called Schumer “no longer effective” and said he “should be replaced.” He added, “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”
Schumer is facing criticism from both progressives and moderate Democrats for not keeping the caucus united during the shutdown fight. Democrats were seeking concessions from Republicans on the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits. The deal includes a promise of a vote on a Democratic health care bill but does not guarantee its passage.
Interestingly, Schumer himself voted against advancing the government funding measure on Sunday.
Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin noted that Schumer gave the deal “neither a blessing nor a curse” and did not direct senators on how to vote.
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also a New York Democrat, defended Schumer on Monday. When asked by reporters whether Schumer was an effective leader and should keep his job, Jeffries responded, “Yes and yes. The overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have waged a valiant fight over the last seven weeks, defeating the partisan Republican spending bill 14 or 15 different times, week after week after week, and continue to oppose this effort of passing legislation that does not address the Republican health care crisis by extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-ro-khanna-chuck-schumer-senate-leader/
