Michigan

WASHINGTON -⁤ A growing rift within the Democratic Party ⁢is surfacing as a number of Senate Democrats and progressive‍ activists publicly criticize ⁢the ‌recent deal to avert⁣ a ‌government shutdown, ⁣arguing leadership failed‌ to secure favorable terms and ⁣is out of touch with the party’s base. The deal, reached ‌to fund the government for​ six‍ weeks, has ignited ‌calls for ⁤a change in⁤ Senate leadership, specifically targeting ​Senate Majority Leader Chuck ⁢Schumer.

Progressive Change Campaign Committee chief⁢ Adam Green urged supporters on ​Monday to​ support candidates⁣ who will challenge Schumer’s leadership, stating, “The ⁣best way to unify the Democratic Party and win big in 2026​ is to make clear that the ⁣new generation of Democratic senators​ we elect will NOT be following Chuck Schumer down⁣ a losing path.”

Senate candidate Graham Platner, ‌running for the Democratic nomination in Maine to challenge Republican ⁤Sen. Susan Collins, echoed those sentiments, telling Our Revolution activists on a Monday conference ⁢call that the deal demonstrated​ Schumer’s “inability to rise to this moment.”

The discontent‌ comes amid a ​broader trend of questioning established democratic leadership. President Joe Biden, 81, faced pressure to step aside before⁣ seeking reelection, and⁤ former Speaker ​Nancy Pelosi, 85, recently retired from the House. While Biden and Pelosi were credited‍ with passing “notable legislation” despite narrow Democratic majorities, Schumer ‍has‍ received less ⁢recognition⁣ from party activists and is now facing criticism for failing ‍to maintain caucus unity during the shutdown negotiations.

Despite the criticism,some Democrats,like sen.⁤ Dick Durbin, argue the shutdown⁤ fight yielded​ a positive outcome by forcing a Senate vote on healthcare ⁢funding in December, which they believe will hold Republicans accountable. “We get our‍ day in court‍ in December,” Durbin insisted.

However, others, like Mitchell, view the outcome as a setback, ⁢signaling a need for a more assertive opposition party and focusing on primary challenges in 2026. “We don’t take any pride ⁤in the capitulation⁤ of our friends inside the Democratic Party,” Mitchell said. “But the story⁣ writes itself for why we need a fighting opposition party right now.”