Sen. Chuck Schumer is facing a massive backlash from fellow Democrats after he refused to block Republican legislation to keep the government funded and avert a shutdown.

In the 24 hours after he announced he would vote to advance the legislation, progressive and centrist Democrats alike are voicing frustration, even anger, with the New Yorker. Some went so far as to accuse him of betrayal and rolling over for President Donald Trump. 

What You Need To Know

  • Sen. Chuck Schumer is facing a massive backlash from fellow Democrats after he refused to block Republican legislation to keep the government funded and avert a shutdown

  • Some went so far as to accuse him of betrayal and rolling over for President Donald Trump, with some fellow New Yorkers in Congress calling for him to rethink his decision

  • Schumer’s decision prompted some Democrats to suggest he face a primary challenge in 2028, including from Bronx Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
  • Among the most high-profile individuals not rushing to back up Schumer was Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the top House Democrat and Schumer’s fellow Brooklynite

Some of his fellow New Yorkers in Congress joined in on calls for him to rethink his decision.

“If we’re not willing to fight the Republicans now, then we never will,” Rep. Ritchie Torres told Spectrum News. “We’re surrendering leverage.”

Adding fuel to the fire: President Trump took to social media Friday to praise Schumer for “doing the right thing” and having “‘guts’ and courage.”

Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer repeatedly defended his choice. He argued opposing the Republican spending bill and allowing a shutdown would give the president even more power to unilaterally slash federal spending and staffing.

“As bad as the CR is, I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option,” Schumer said. “A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive.”

Schumer’s decision prompted some Democrats to suggest he face a primary challenge in 2028, including from Bronx Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent progressive. Ocasio-Cortez helped lead calls for Senate Democrats to oppose the bill, describing it as “unthinkable” that Senate Democrats would back it.

Back home, the leader of the New York State Democratic Party, Chairman Jay Jacobs, defended Schumer, writing, “Too many Democrats prefer the ‘circular firing squad’ and ‘eating our own’ to the more effective approach of finding the right long-term strategy. Once again, this is such a case.”

Among the most high-profile individuals not rushing to back up Schumer was Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the top House Democrat and Schumer’s fellow Brooklynite. Jeffries blasted the legislation as “un-American” and helped corral near unanimous Democratic opposition to the funding legislation on the House side.

Jeffries ducked pointed questions Friday about Schumer.

When asked if it is time for new leadership in the Senate, Jeffries replied, “Next question.” Asked if he had lost confidence in Schumer, given how differently they viewed the funding legislation, Jeffries again replied, “Next question.”

New York’s other Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, joined Schumer in voting to advance the funding bill, writing, “To be clear, I oppose the policies in this bill.”

“Our economy is already in a tailspin due to President Trump’s reckless trade war and general instability, and a shutdown harms innocent families, children and seniors,” Gillibrand continued.

The frustration among rank-and-file Democrats was, in part, rooted in the belief that the government funding fight was their first real opportunity to extract something from Republicans — a rare opportunity in the minority. That chance is now in the rearview mirror.