Longstanding Democrat leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer who represents New York in the Senate has come under fire from his own after publicly supporting and voting for a Trump-backed spending bill. The bill was introduced to avoid a government shutdown which included a significant increase in defense spending,  thirteen billion dollars in cuts to non-defense programs, an IRS freeze, and border security funding.

Schumer argued that in voting for the bill he averted a government shutdown that could potentially allow figures like Elon Musk to “eviscerate the federal government”  through DOGE (Dept of Government Efficiency). He furthermore stated that he would not step down as leader of the Democrats in the Senate but still acknowledged that the vote would have negative consequences.

Democrats have accused Schumer of aiding Trump’s agenda and some figures and organizations like Rep Ivey of Maryland and the College Democrats of America have called for him to step aside. There is a push for new leadership in the Democratic party and it has only been so further evident in recent days.

Schumers vote has led to some personal repercussions like having to postpone his book tour and threats to his own personal security. Despite all these challenges he is unwavering in his decision to continue to lead the party in the senate and asserts that his decision was in the best interest of the country.

Sources Used:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/chuck-schumer-democrats-funding-bill

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/14/nx-s1-5328229/senate-spending-bill-vote-government-shutdown