Congress’ democratic unity appears to be in ruins after a public fracture between Capitol Hill’s top two left-wing leaders over government funding.
At least two House Democrats took shots with DN.Y. Sen. Chuck Schumer at their respective events Tuesday after Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats voted with Republicans to avoid government shutdown last week.
“I thought it was important to make sure we blocked the bill. I was deeply disappointed that Sen. Schumer voted for Republicans,” D-Md. Rep. Glenn Evie told residents of his deep blue district. “When you receive a personal tweet from Donald Trump, you know you know you’re grateful for your vote.”
He said Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, had made all but one Democrats oppose the bill in the lower room.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, right, joined Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer for a press conference at the Statistics Hall held at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on February 12, 2025.
“I think he’s had a great, long-standing career. He’s done a lot of great things, but I’m worried that there will be a time when Senate Democrats will choose a new leadership as they move forward,” Ivy applauded.
But despite his admiration for Jeffries, Ivy’s public message appeared in stark contrast to the Democratic leader’s overtures against his counterparts early on Tuesday.
“Yes, I will,” Jeffries responded briefly when asked if Schumer was still confident as a Senate Democrat leader.
“We’re all in line with the battle right in front of us,” Jeffries told reporters at a press conference in Brooklyn, New York, and that he and Schumer “we had a good conversation about the path we’re moving forward, especially since it relates to making sure we all speak with one voice.”
It’s still reserved in his praise, but that’s a very different to what Jeffries did last week.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi of D-Calif joined her family and husband Paul Pelosi to attend the release of the portrait in the Statue Hall of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC on December 14, 2022.
Democrats have accused Republicans of walking away from bipartisan fundraising talks at the expense of serious government programs, but Republicans have said Democrats are making unrealistic demands about constraining President Donald Trump’s power.
After that vote, Jeffries refused to support Schumer twice when pushed by a reporter. “Next question,” he said to a pair of questions about his support for fellow Brooklyn Democrats.
But his message of unity on Tuesday was similarly undercut by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D. Caliph).
Dems screams foul after Schumer’s announcement about an imminent vote to avoid government shutdown
“I personally don’t give anything and I think that’s what happened the other day,” Pelosi said at an event in San Francisco. “In my opinion, I was able to make them agree to a third method. It was bipartisan. [funding bill] For two or four weeks, they might have had bipartisan laws to move forward. ”
She said of the Republicans, “They may not have agreed to it, but at least they would have seen them not agree to it, and they would have shut down the government because they didn’t want to shut it down.”
Meanwhile, other sources told Fox News Digital that there was still some frustration among Democrats over Schumer’s decision.
Rep. Glenn Evie will speak at a press conference at the US Capitol on February 12, 2025 (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“It’s a big problem, even if there were few important votes if House Dem and Senate Dem split,” a Dem told Fox News Digital. “We should do everything possible to get our home back, because if the home calls like Hakeem…that’s because they have a political assessment that it will be in the best interest of the election.
Senior House Democrat aide said Schumer’s move was bad, but the party needs to unite to oppose Trump.
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Outside the DC Beltway, Schumer’s criticism has gained traction among Democrats despite Jeffries’ publicly correcting the fence.
Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz and Illinois Governor JB Pretzker emerged as early candidates in 2028, showing their dissatisfaction with Schumer’s move.
Fox News Digital has contacted Schumer’s office for comment.
A longtime Senate Democrat said he was the “best leader” of the Caucus in an interview this week on “CBS Morning.”
Elizabeth Elkind is the main reporter of Fox News Digital’s reporting in the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen on Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow me on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to Elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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