Amid criticism from many Democrats, particularly members of the House and their supporters in the media, supporters of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have begun to push back, following the Democrats’ backing down on their effort to keep the government shut down unless their demands were met.

While Schumer voted against the House-passed short-term continuing resolution each time it came up for a vote, and urged the other Senate Democrats to do the same, on Sunday, eight Senate Democratic caucus members voted for the GOP funding bill, after the government shutdown hit its 40-day mark.

The pushback was immediate, harsh and widespread, especially among the so-called progressive members of the House Democratic caucus. 

"Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?" Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., posted on X late Sunday.

“Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership,” said Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., on X. “If @ChuckSchumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on healthcare."

Other Democrats weighed in as well, as they had been feeling triumphant and celebratory after a strong showing in the Nov. 4 off-year elections in New Jersey, New York, Virginia, California and Georgia. 

“Tonight’s Senate vote on the federal government shutdown should have been a time for strength,” complained California Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Instead we saw capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans. The American people need more from their leaders.”

Comedian Jon Stewart called it a “world-class collapse by Democrats.”

“Either all eight senators who voted to capitulate coincidentally are not up for reelection in 2026, or Chuck Schumer worked behind the scenes to give in to the Republicans while still protecting vulnerable Democrats, including himself,” Stewart said.

Others came to his defense. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., defended Schumer on Monday, saying he “waged a valiant fight on behalf of the American people” while pointing out that he didn’t vote for the deal.

In March, Schumer faced a similar situation, and he voted to go along with the GOP’s continuing resolution instead of shutting the government down, and he got a lot of blowback for that decision. This time he tried hard to avoid a repeat of the criticism he endured at that time. Some said he was in a no-win situation this time around. 

There was a lot of support for Schumer from fellow Democratic senators, and very little criticism. “He has a tough job,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

“It’s understandable. He’s the leader, and it goes with the territory,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said. “But I would be hopeful that we’d focus on our adversary, and that’s [President Trump].

Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who was one of the eight who voted “yes” to reopening the government,” said that Schumer gave “neither a blessing or a curse” to members of the caucus on how they should vote. 

“I think Chuck handled this well. It was a hard assignment,” he said.