Schumer, Sanders Re-elected to Senate Democratic Leadership Posted by Association of Vermont Credit Unions on 11:00 AM

As reported by the Hill, an inside the Beltway political publication, Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) was elected Senate Democratic leader by his peers on Wednesday of this week.  The minority leader was re-elected by acclamation in the closed-door meeting. Schumer has served as Senate Democratic leader since 2017.

The Senate Democratic caucus also re-elected Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders as Chair of Outreach, which is 1/2 half of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee.  The Committee focuses on fostering dialogue between Senate Democrats and leaders from across the nation.  Members of the committee serve as liaisons between Senate Democrats and the advocacy groups and intergovernmental organizations that want to work with them. The Steering and Outreach Committee, by its own description, helps to set the Democratic Party's agenda in the Senate.

As the top Democrat in the Senate, Schumer will have to navigate the presidential ambitions of several members of his caucus who are considered potential 2020 contenders and negotiate with Republicans heading into the next election. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is up for reelection in 2020 will remain Senate Democratic whip.  Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) will keep her position as assistant Democratic Leader. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) are also remaining in leadership. Warren, Klobuchar and Sanders are considered potential 2020 presidential contenders, while Warner is up for re-election. Manchin and Baldwin were re-elected last week in states Trump won in 2016.

Watch Schumer's press conference below.