Chuck Schumer is winning over critics who bashed him for surrendering during this spring’s shutdown standoff. That could change fast.
A POLITICO survey of Democratic lawmakers and activists finds that Schumer has exceeded their low expectations in the latest funding standoff. But they’re watching his actions closely, wary that Senate Democrats will cave if pressure grows.
“A lot of people wondered whether we would be bullied again, and we have not been,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who broke with Schumer when the minority leader moved to keep the government open in March. “Sen. Schumer understands the gravity of this moment.”
“He hasn’t surrendered yet,” said Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin, who in March called on Schumer to step down. “I call that progress, and we’re cheering him on now.”
What’s worrying some progressives is that Schumer hasn’t drawn aggressive red lines like Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is demanding that Obamacare subsidies be extended via “ironclad” legislation, and that he may agree to reopen the government with only verbal assurances.
“A handshake agreement is capitulation,” Levin said. “Health care and rescission language is the demand, and it’s broadly popular. No reason to cave for less.”
One House Democrat granted anonymity to candidly discuss the shutdown dynamics said they would publicly call for Schumer to give up his leadership post if he folds now. An aide to another senior House Democrat said a significant number of lawmakers would be inclined to push for Schumer’s ouster in that scenario.
On the other side of the aisle, Speaker Mike Johnson will hold an 11:30 a.m. call Thursday with House Republicans as he faces growing pressure from his own ranks to bring the House back and negotiate an Obamacare extension. Some Republicans are calling for votes to ensure active-duty military members and other federal workers don’t miss their next paychecks.
What else we’re watching:
— Johnson’s day ahead: The speaker will take viewer calls on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” at 8:30 a.m. before hosting a 10 a.m. news conference with Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, Conference Chair Lisa McClain and Veterans’ Affairs Chair Mike Bost. He plans to hold a call with the full House Republican caucus at 11:30 a.m.
— Senate to advance more Trump noms: Senate Judiciary Republicans are poised Thursday to advance five judicial nominees who, if confirmed, would further expand Trump’s conservative imprint on the federal judiciary. That includes Rebecca Taibleson, the president’s pick to serve as U.S. circuit judge for the Seventh Circuit.
Meanwhile Senate HELP will consider nominees including Crystal Carey to be general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board and former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito to be the Labor Department’s inspector general.
— Approps action?: Senate Republicans are discussing next steps on how to proceed with full-year funding bills during the shutdown stalemate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune floated the Senate taking up a standalone defense appropriations bill. Another idea, according to GOP senators, is to go to conference with the House on the Senate-passed appropriations bills with funding for defense, agriculture programs and Congress itself.
Nicholas Wu, Meredith Lee Hill and Jordain Carney contributed to this report.
