House Democrats pressure Schumer to step down: Axios

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
20 Mar 2025 09:01

While no Senate Democrats have publicly called for Schumer's resignation, frustration is mounting among those who believe he should adopt a more combative approach—or make way for someone who will.

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Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer walks near the Senate chamber, as the Senate works to avert a partial government shutdown ahead of the midnight deadline, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing more pressure from House Democrats to step aside than previously reported, with additional calls for his resignation expected, Axios reported.

While no Senate colleagues have called for Schumer’s resignation, frustration is mounting among House Democrats who believe he should take a more aggressive stance—or step aside for someone who will.

At a Tuesday town hall, Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) nodded and said “yes” when asked if Schumer should “retire or step down.” Her remarks had not been reported before. Liberal advocacy group Indivisible has also urged Schumer to resign, and Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) echoed the sentiment at another town hall the same day, as per the report.

A House Democrat, speaking anonymously to Axios, suggested that more colleagues share the sentiment but have yet to be directly questioned or are avoiding the issue.

The wider context

Schumer angered many House Democrats last week by backing a Republican-led measure to prevent a government shutdown. While nearly all House Democrats opposed the bill—citing concerns over its failure to limit the Department of Justice’s ability to defund agencies—Senate Democrats allowed it to pass. Schumer defended his stance, arguing that a shutdown would have helped US President Donald Trump advance his goal of shrinking the federal government.

Rep. Ivey told Axios, “I've got no personal beef with Schumer, I think he's a talented guy, but for me the bigger question is: Is he going to do this again?”

Representing a district with a significant number of federal workers, Ivey said the September funding deadline would be a key moment: “When this comes back up in six months, is he going to take the same approach or not? If he's still on that track, I'm for moving on.”

A senior House Democrat, speaking anonymously to Axios, linked the calls for Schumer’s resignation to broader demands for generational change, saying, “Schumer is just fueling it.” While acknowledging that House members have little influence over Senate leadership, they predicted most Democrats would avoid commenting publicly. “The ones who do speak out will do it because of grassroots pressure, and I doubt that many of them will defend Schumer.”

The backlash is fueled by a sense of betrayal among House Democrats and anger from constituents. “You run into people at the grocery store … their livelihoods are at stake,” Ivey said, adding that voters were aware of the procedural maneuvers behind Schumer’s decision.

At her town hall, Ramirez confirmed that multiple attendees called for Schumer to step down.

Schumer has remained firm in defending his decision. “I should be the leader,” he said on The View, pointing to his record of recruiting and supporting strong Senate candidates.