Sanders Refuses to Back Schumer for Senate Leadership Role
WHO:
NBC News - Neither Bernie Sanders nor Elissa Slotkin proposed an alternative to Chuck Schumer; Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland is considering challenging Schumer.
Truthout - The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union, described as having 600,000 members, urged Schumer to step aside. The union’s international president wrote that “elections sent a clear message: Working people are demanding change.”
Truthout - Sen. Chris Van Hollen said he would refuse to fund the government next month until the war is defunded.
Boston.com News - Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer for reelection as Democratic leader.
ABC News Politics - Sanders said he would not support Schumer as Democratic majority leader in the new Congress.
NBC News Politics - Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, said they would not back Schumer, a Democrat from New York, for Senate majority leader.
CBS News Politics - Sanders was described as the most prominent progressive to oppose Schumer’s candidacy to date.
WHAT:
NBC News - Sanders and Slotkin called for new leadership but did not propose an alternative.
Truthout - The IAM Union urged Schumer to step aside in a letter.
Boston.com News - Sanders said: “The time is now for change and I will not be supporting Chuck to be reelected as the Democratic leader.”
ABC News Politics - Sanders said he would not support Schumer as Democratic majority leader in the new Congress.
NBC News Politics - Sanders and Slotkin announced they would not support Schumer to serve as Senate majority leader. NBC News’ Sahil Kapur reported on their decision and on who might step up to challenge Schumer.
CBS News Politics - Sanders said he would not support Schumer as Democratic leader in the new Congress.
WHERE:
ABC News Politics - The leadership role discussed is in the new Congress.
NBC News Politics - The role discussed is Senate majority leader.
WHY:
Truthout - The IAM Union said its call for Schumer to step aside reflected a message from the elections that working people are demanding change.
Boston.com News - Sanders said he would not support Schumer because “The time is now for change.”
(UPDATED November 11, 2026 01:06 UTC)
Bernie Sanders and Elissa Slotkin say they won’t back Chuck Schumer for Senate leader. The machinists’ union also urged Schumer to step aside, citing demands for change. Senator Chris Van Hollen is considering a challenge and vows to oppose government funding until the war is defunded.
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(UPDATED November 10, 2026 23:01 UTC)
Bernie Sanders says he will not support Chuck Schumer’s reelection as Democratic leader in the new Congress. Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin also opposes Schumer’s bid to lead Senate Democrats. Sanders, the most prominent progressive to oppose Schumer, says it’s time for change.