Colorado Senator Michael Bennet recently hinted at a potential leadership change in the Senate. Speaking at a town hall in Golden on Wednesday, Bennet stopped just short of calling for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to resign. He emphasized the importance of assessing whether current leaders are in the right positions.
Bennet’s comments come amid growing criticism of Schumer from both House Democrats and members of his own party. Schumer faced backlash for supporting a GOP-backed bill that aimed to prevent a federal government shutdown. Initially, he indicated that Republicans lacked the votes to pass the measure, but later changed his stance, arguing that passing the bill was necessary to avoid worse outcomes.
During the town hall, Bennet expressed the need for Democrats to clarify their goals and priorities. He remarked that it wasn’t clear what the party was fighting for during the recent budget debates. At 60 years old, Bennet recalled being the first Senate Democrat to publicly question President Biden’s chances for reelection following a poor debate performance.
When asked directly about Schumer’s leadership, Bennet noted the importance of knowing when it might be time for someone to step down. He mentioned that conversations about Democratic leadership would likely occur in the near future. His remarks echoed those of Maryland Representative Glenn Ivey, who also called for new leadership among Senate Democrats.
Schumer was scheduled to promote his new book this week, but those events have been postponed or canceled, with at least one venue citing security concerns. As discussions about leadership continue, Bennet’s comments suggest that change may be on the horizon for Senate Democrats.