Van Hollen Ties Schumer Support to a Bold Democratic Agenda

“It’s not a time for incrementalism,” Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat and former head of Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, told Bloomberg on Wednesday. He called for a “very bold kitchen table agenda” and said, “We need commitments.” He has indicated he does not plan to seek the leadership post himself.

Progressive groups Indivisible and Our Revolution also urged Senate Democrats to move on from Schumer. Indivisible called for senators to oppose another term for him and demanded a public, transparent process to select new leadership. The group claimed Schumer’s approval rating was lower than President Donald Trump’s.

Schumer, who has led the Senate Democratic caucus for nearly a decade, told reporters Wednesday, “I’ll be reelected as majority leader.” But several newly elected Democrats—Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Troy Jackson of Maine, Juliana Stratton of Illinois and Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota—have said they would not support him. James Talarico of Texas and Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan have declined to endorse him, saying Democrats should consider other options.

Flanagan said many incoming senators had refused corporate PAC money and were ready to fight for bold change. “I think it’s time for a new leadership,” she said, adding that she was eager to work with her new colleagues.