On November 3, Americans delivered a loud and clear message to Congress. Voters emphatically signaled a desire for change and a rejection of the status quo in Washington. They want action by leaders to improve their lives and a voice in the priorities of the next Congress.
Within the next week, Senators will choose their next Leader who will have a major role in determining the Senate's legislative agenda. In the past, these decisions have been made behind closed doors and have included only the Senate Caucus. This time, we are encouraging an open, public CONVERSATION about what Americans want and expect as priorities for the Senate in the coming year and how those priorities should influence the choice of the next leader. We want a conversation, not a coronation based on seniority and deference to old norms.
TAKE ACTION:
Please call your Senators THIS WEEK and let them know what you want to see in our next Senate Leader! If you would like to express views regarding the next House Speaker, call your Representative as well. Here is a helpful call tool from 5Calls with phone numbers and a script template for you to fill in the issues that matter to you.
BACKGROUND:
While Senator Schumer has publicly stated that he has the votes to be elected the next leader, other Senators have made public comments that indicate a desire for a change.
CNN reports that Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen said, “There should be no coronation of the next Democratic leader.” According to Van Hollen, "we need to have a discussion in the Democratic caucus, we need to understand what the Democrats are going to do with this new responsibility and these new powers, and nobody should get a blank check without a full understanding of the caucus as to where we’re going to go." Van Hollen said he has urged Democratic colleagues to “withhold commitments” until Schumer outlines his vision.
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin said Democrats should not give Schumer a quorum — the minimum attendance required to conduct Senate business — until he answers their concerns. Slotkin stopped short of ruling out support for Schumer but said she would withhold her vote until he or another candidate presented a concrete plan for governing.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has ruled out his support for Schumer, and many newly elected Senators have declined to express support for him including Annie Andrews, the Democratic senator-elect from South Carolina; Adam Hamilton, the senator-elect from Kansas; Abdul El-Sayed, the senator-elect from Michigan, James Talarico, the senator-elect from Texas; Juliana Stratton, the senator-elect from Illinois; Chris Pappas, the senator-elect from New Hampshire; Peggy Flanagan, the senator-elect from Minnesota; and Troy Jackson, the senator-elect from Maine.
Whatever happens, urging our Senators to have a PUBLIC CONVERSATION AND NOT A CORONATION will shine a light on the process of electing Democratic leaders and will be a healthy process that demonstrates the willingness of Democrats to learn the lessons of the 2026 midterms. If Schumer is elected Majority Leader, he will have heard directly from voters—not merely from Senators.
TAKE ACTION
Again, please call your Senators THIS WEEK and let them know what you want to see in our next Senate Leader! If you would like to express views regarding the next House Speaker, call your Representative as well. Here is a helpful call tool from 5Calls with phone numbers and a script template for you to fill in the issues that matter to you.
Thank you for your continuing engagement in the work to build a more just, caring, and inclusive America!
