Khanna demands Schumer’s replacement for inadequate shutdown deal

Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, has criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for his role in a deal with Republicans that aimed to end a government shutdown. The deal was supported by several Senate Democrats and Khanna believes Schumer should step down from his leadership position as a result.

During a CBS News’ “The Takeout” interview, Khanna stated, “He’s the leader of the Senate. This deal would never have happened if he had not blessed it. Don’t take my word for it. Take the word of other senators who are saying that they kept Sen. Schumer in the loop the whole time.” The interview will air at 5 p.m. on Monday on CBS News 24/7.

Khanna acknowledged Schumer’s successes, “Look, I’ve worked with Sen. Schumer. He did an incredible job on the CHIPS Act, on the [Inflation Reduction Act], on infrastructure. But it’s time for him to be replaced. He is not meeting the moment. He’s out of touch with where the party’s base is.”

On Sunday night, Khanna questioned Schumer’s leadership capabilities after eight Democrats joined the Republicans in voting for a short-term funding measure. He expressed his view in a post on X, in which he described Schumer as “no longer effective” and recommended his replacement.

Khanna also voiced concerns about the rising healthcare premiums for Americans, asking, “If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”

Schumer is currently facing backlash from both sides of his party over the government shutdown. Progressives and moderate Democrats are upset that he was unable to keep the caucus united while negotiating with Republicans regarding the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits. The deal does promise a vote on a Democratic health care bill, but does not guarantee a positive outcome.

Despite voting against the government funding measure on Sunday, Schumer did not get either a ‘blessing’ or a ‘curse’ for the deal from Illinois Democratic Senator Dick Durbin. Durbin also clarified that Schumer did not instruct senators on how they should vote.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, defended Schumer when questioned by reporters about his effectiveness as a leader. Certainly, “yes and yes” was his response when asked whether Schumer should retain his job.

Jeffries commended the efforts of Schumer and the majority of Senate Democrats, saying, “The overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have waged a valiant fight over the last seven weeks, defeating the partisan Republican spending bill 14 or 15 different times, week after week after week, and continue to oppose this effort of passing legislation that does not address the Republican health care crisis by extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits.”