Dems Call for Schumer’s Ouster After Shutdown Deal

“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) chided on X. “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”

“Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership,” jeered Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), who launched his primary challenge to Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) last month, on X. “If @ChuckSchumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on healthcare.

“Maybe now @EdMarkey will finally join me in pledging not to vote for Schumer [as conference leader after the 2026 elections]?”

“Chuck Schumer is not built for this moment,” wrote Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, who hopes to challenge Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), on X.

“Chuck Schumer has failed us,” agreed Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls, running for the open seat held by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

Shaheen’s own daughter, Stefany, who is running for the Democratic nomination in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, announced on social media that she would reject the deal her mother helped broker.

“I cannot support this deal when Speaker Johnson refuses to even allow a vote to extend health care tax credits,” Stefany Shaheen declared on X. “We need to both end this shutdown and extend the ACA tax credits. Otherwise, no deal. It’s essential to ensure people have access to health care and it’s past time to put paychecks back into people’s pockets and food back on families’ tables.”

“Tonight’s Senate vote on the federal government shutdown should have been a time for strength,” fumed California Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Instead we saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans. The American people need more from their leaders.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also lashed out against the bipartisan deal.

“Ending the shutdown shouldn’t come at the expense of health care for tens of millions of Americans,” she sniped. “This deal paves the way for devastating premium hikes that will drive up costs for New Yorkers. Count me out.”

“This ‘deal’ dramatically hikes healthcare premiums and only exacerbates the affordability crisis,” added NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. “It should be rejected, as should any politics willing to compromise on the basic needs of working people.”