Sharp Problems in the Ukrainian Economy: The Possibility of Deepening Crisis.

Chuck Schumer is bruised but not broken - at least not yet.

Two weeks after the Senate Minority Leader joined Republicans to avert a government shutdown, Democrats are still furious over his behavior during the standoff. But many in the party acknowledge they are now stuck with him.

Given that Schumer has no obvious alternative and little desire among the vast majority of Senate Democrats to engage in a dirty fight for leadership, lawmakers indicate they support the New Yorker and hope for better in future battles. Several frustrated Democratic sponsors have made the same calculation.

After Schumer angered his party by voting for the advancement of a Republican temporary measure, he went into damage control mode, making numerous media appearances defending his position to lawmakers and working the phone with liberal groups. Even after several House members and external progressive activists urged him to step down, he avoided any retreat from his own faction. Schumer's presence as the singular ubiquitous figure allowed him to survive to the next news cycle - this Time relating to the group chat about Trump's military government plan.

“Chuck reached out to everyone and talked to people, which I appreciate,” said Senator Ben Ray Lujan (Democrat from New Mexico) on Wednesday. When asked if discussions about replacing Schumer as leader were ongoing, Senator Tim Kaine (Democrat from Virginia) added: “Not within the caucus.”

Instead, Schumer is trying to convince his members that he understands they need to ramp up their tactics. 'Leader Schumer is really demonstrating the kind of vision and energy we need right now again or in a stronger way,' stated Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat from Connecticut), referring to closed discussions, party strategy in the chamber, and upcoming faction actions.

Some Democratic lawmakers, sponsors, and activists assert that Schumer is now under a political microscope, with many party members closely watching how he handles imminent battles in Congress over the debt limit, the Republican domestic agenda, and the next government funding bill.

Even some members of Schumer's faction said he still needs to work to earn their trust. Asked about Schumer's leadership on Wednesday, Senator Andy Kim (Democrat from New Jersey) responded: “We’re still discussing this.”

Schumer's voting showed a larger rift in the party over how to confront President Donald Trump in his second term. The vote prompted several House lawmakers to publicly express or directly call for Schumer to step aside. Some liberal groups added demands for stronger leadership.

“Schumer made a bad call,” said Congressman Greg Casar (Democrat from Texas), adding later that he 'hopes' Schumer and Senate Democrats will see that voters want them to fight the Republicans. Otherwise, he said, 'they'll only see it if they don't see it themselves.'

Several individuals have not just questioned Schumer's leadership. They were quite outraged enough to call for his resignation.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat from New York) has received private support from Democratic House members, even those facing battles in contested districts, to prepare a challenge to Schumer in 2028. But Ocasio-Cortez is currently not willing to step forward.

“My focus is our strength at this particular moment and what we can do now to be a party that protects working people and shields them from Republican cuts,” she said in a brief interview. When asked whether Schumer should remain leader, she stated that the issue “is not about any one individual.”

However, the decision by some Democratic lawmakers in the House to enter discussions about leadership in the Senate has provoked discontent among senators, including former House members. Lujan, asked about the criticism from former colleagues, remarked: “I don't know what my colleagues voted for Senate leader.”

In the Senate, Schumer has taken steps to acknowledge the anger and frustration stemming from the capitulation on legislative issues. Interim senator Tim Kaine stated on Wednesday that Schumer “was very candid and felt his humility” at a private lunch with colleagues on Tuesday “and then focused on the next steps”. Portuguese with his aide signed off on one of the gatherings after the parliament's dissolution.

The result, he said, was “a very productive discussion” about “what do we need to do differently?”

Schumer's representative did not provide a comment for this article.

Senate Democrats acknowledge that they still do not fully grasp what it is they failed to achieve just two weeks ago - a strategy that would unite them and give them a solid foothold despite limited leverage. However, they are clearly demonstrating that their public attention, at least, remains focused on the Trump administration and preparing for upcoming battles over the debt limit and the Republican party's tax plan.

“My top priority is to stop the Trump administration's lawlessness. My next priority is to halt the Trump administration's lawlessness. … I think you understood my thoughts,” said Senator Ron Wyden (Democrat from Oregon) when asked about the issue regarding Schumer's leadership.

Outside of Congress, Democratic officials have also been outraged at Schumer regarding his handling of Republican legislative issues and overall leadership. But with no clear challenger, people close to sponsors have stated that there is not much they can do. The next battle for leadership in the Senate will take place after the 2026 elections, when there may already be a vacancy at the top of the ranking if Democratic firebrand from Illinois Dick Durbin steps down. Schumer, if he again seeks the top position, will need only a simple majority of his faction to win.

Sponsors “consider him ineffective, but the question is whether another person would want to step up? And that’s where things get stuck,” said one Democratic sponsors advisor, who like others in this story was granted guaranteed anonymity to discuss private conversations.

'No senator presents themselves as an alternative, this is a major obstacle for any movement from sponsors to have him step down,' said a second Democratic sponsors advisor. 'If someone signaled to sponsors that they want to be an alternative, I'm sure there would be plenty of talk around that. But that hasn't happened yet.'

A third Democratic sponsors advisor said organizers think Schumer is 'very incapable,' but 'he, perhaps, just needs to demonstrate a better performance.'