---
title: "Chuck Schumer holds firm, rejecting calls to quit as top Senate Democrat"
description: "March 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday dismissed calls from some Democratic lawmakers for him to step down as leader in the Senate over his approach to a recently passed government funding bill."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-03-23-chuck-schumer-holds-firm-rejecting-calls-to-quit-as-top-senate-democrat/"
published: "2025-03-23T21:25:26"
updated: "2025-03-24T06:28:51"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 260
---

# Chuck Schumer holds firm, rejecting calls to quit as top Senate Democrat

> March 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday dismissed calls from some Democratic lawmakers for him to step down as leader in the Senate over his approach to a recently passed government funding bill.

By Reuters · Published 23 March 2025, 23:25 SAST · Updated 24 March 2025, 08:28 SAST

## Key points
- In a move that has Democrats fuming more than a kettle on the boil, Chuck Schumer chose to let a Republican spending bill pass, arguing that the alternative—a government shutdown—would be a far worse horror show starring Trump and his budget-cutting sidekick, Elon Musk.
- Schumer faces backlash from Democrats for supporting a Republican spending bill, perceived as empowering Trump.
- He defends his choice, arguing that a government shutdown would have been far worse.
- Criticism from within the party grows, with calls for Schumer to step down from leadership roles.
- Schumer counters claims of losing Democratic leverage, emphasizing the need to prevent a shutdown.

## Content

By Ryan Patrick Jones

Schumer sparked anger among Democrats last week when he decided not to block a Republican-drafted spending bill that many in the party said gave President Donald Trump, a Republican, too much power.

"Look, I'm not stepping down," Schumer told NBC's "Meet the Press."

Schumer said while the spending bill was "certainly bad" and that he had anticipated his support for it would stir controversy, the other option had been to let the government shut down, which would have been "15 or 20 times worse."

Schumer said during a shutdown the executive branch had sole power to determine what government functions and employees were essential. In such a scenario, Schumer argued, Trump, his cost-cutting adviser Elon Musk and budget chief Russ Vought could "eviscerate the federal government."

Schumer's decision to side with Republicans outraged Democrats in Congress and progressive groups, and highlighted the party's struggles as it is shut out of power in Washington.

Several Democrats in the House of Representatives, including Representatives Glenn Ivey and Delia Ramirez, suggested he step aside, according to Politico.

NPR reported on Thursday that while Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado stopped short of calling for Schumer to quit, he told a town hall that "it's important for people to know when it's time to go."

Schumer dismissed criticism on "Meet the Press" from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that he gave away Democratic leverage for nothing, arguing what they achieved was avoiding the "horror" of a government shutdown.

(Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones, editing by Ross Colvin and Nia Williams)