Sanders, Slotkin and Others Decline to Back Schumer as Democratic Senate Leader

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Tuesday he will not support Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York for another term as Democratic leader, as a growing number of Democratic senators and senators-elect declined to commit to him days after the party won control of both chambers of Congress. Sanders said the time is now for change. Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan said she will not back Schumer unless he presents a plan to govern differently, and Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia would not commit. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said he is listening to calls for big change and is considering a challenge. He criticized Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for siding with the crypto industry and AIPAC. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which has 550,000 members, sent Schumer a letter Sunday urging a new generation of leadership. Schumer intends to seek another term and said his focus is lowering costs and rooting out government corruption. Democrats will hold at least 54 seats, and the caucus is due to vote internally next month.

Left-leaning outlets frame the story around the pressure for change. HuffPost leads with the machinists' letter and quotes union president Brian Bryant on members wanting a new leader, while noting Schumer still appears on track to win. The New Republic leads with Warner's hesitation, Sanders' quote and a long list of senators and senators-elect not committing, and presents Van Hollen as the alternative gaining steam. Fox News, on the right, uses a revolt framing, saying Democrats are turning on Schumer and the caucus is fracturing. It gives Schumer's stated priorities and notes that Van Hollen is weighing a 2028 presidential run. Both sides cite Sanders, Slotkin and Van Hollen's crypto and AIPAC criticism; the left adds the union and Warner, while the right stresses progressive energy and Schumer's response. Alternative outlets differ: Democracy Now! ties the fight to Hakeem Jeffries' leadership after an impeachment vote on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and The Times of Israel highlights Van Hollen as an Israel critic.