Kevin McCarthy Says AOC and Mamdani Owe Their Rise to Lack of Leadership' From Schumer and Jeffries

"Schumer came under fire from the Democratic base in March after he backed the GOP's six-month funding bill without extracting any concessions. Chuck Schumer is so unpopular, McCarthy said on Friday's Jesse Watters Primetime on Fox News. Remember when he voted for the [continuing resolution] last time? McCarthy went on to note that Democratic outrage at Schumer was so pronounced in March, the minority leader postponed a planned book tour."

"The former speaker then blamed Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) for the increasing prominence of Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani, who is the New York Democratic mayoral nominee. This is the biggest sign of the weakest leadership, McCarthy continued. If the Democrats believed that Hakeem was a good leader, Nancy Pelosi would retire instead of staying around. They are the biggest symbol of lack of leadership."

"The federal government shut down on Wednesday after the Senate failed to agree on a funding bill to keep the government open until Nov. 21. Democrats are seeking a concession in exchange for the seven Democratic votes needed to overcome a 60-vote procedural threshold in the chamber, which Republicans control 53-47. Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and his caucus want an extension of Covid-era healthcare premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a., Obamacare. Republicans, however, show no signs of budging."

A dearth of Democratic leadership in Congress has coincided with increased prominence of younger Democrats such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and state Rep. Zohran Mamdani. The federal government shut down after the Senate failed to pass a funding bill to keep operations funded through Nov. 21. Democrats seek an extension of Covid-era healthcare premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act in exchange for the seven votes needed to clear a 60-vote procedural threshold. Republicans control the chamber 53-47 and show no sign of conceding on the subsidies. Backlash followed earlier Democratic support for a GOP continuing resolution that lacked concessions. Perceptions of weak leadership have amplified calls for new progressive leaders.

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