"Democrats' latest fault lines do not track perfectly along the familiar split between progressives and centrists. Instead, there's renewed rancor over how aggressively to fight President Donald Trump and his compliant GOP majorities on Capitol Hill, with some progressives renewing their calls for Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer to step aside, even as he publicly opposes the latest deal."
"The left flank is incensed that eight centrist senators - none of whom face reelection in 2026 - crafted a deal with Republicans that does not guarantee Democrats' main demand to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies that will expire at the end of the year."
""The Republicans have learned they could hurt our communities, they could hurt everyday people, including their own constituents, and Democrats will fold," said Maurice Mitchell, who leads the progressive Working Families Party."
Some Senate Democrats cut a deal to reopen government that reignited internal party conflict over strategy and identity after recent election victories. The dispute centers not simply on progressives versus centrists but on how aggressively to oppose President Donald Trump and Republican congressional majorities. Eight centrist senators who are not facing reelection in 2026 crafted a deal with Republicans that does not guarantee extension of Affordable Care Act premium subsidies set to expire at year-end. Progressives say the agreement undermines Senate leader Chuck Schumer's ability to hold the caucus together, while moderates feel politically constrained after supporting prolonged shutdown pressure to secure concessions. Party leaders blame Republicans for looming premium spikes and shutdown impacts, and the episode underscores the difficulty of maintaining a fragile, fractious Democratic coalition.
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