Who picks the Senate majority leader | The Receipts - Dataspheres AI

Who picks the Senate majority leader THE RECEIPTS Who picks the Senate majority leader November 13, 2026 What Chris Van Hollen announced What Chris Van Hol...

Who picks the Senate majority leader THE RECEIPTS Who picks the Senate majority leader November 13, 2026 What Chris Van Hollen announced What Chris Van Hollen announced — On Thursday, November 12, 2026, Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said he is running for Senate majority leader, the first senator to challenge Chuck Schumer for the job, NBC News reports — Schumer, of New York, has led Senate Democrats since 2017; Democrats won control of the Senate on November 3 and take over in January Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who said on November 12, 2026 that he is running for Senate majority leader… Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate Democratic leader since 2017; official Senate portrait, March 2017 His statement, in two paragraphs His statement, in two paragraphs “In this election, the American people called for change. They called for a change from Donald Trump’s disastrous policies – but even bigger than that, a change from the status quo that isn’t working for working people. It’s now on us to meet this moment, and to do that we need new leadership. This is not about any one person – it’s about answering the call of the American people. That is why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader.” What Chuck Schumer answered What Chuck Schumer answered — “I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead.” — “55 seats and counting is an amazing result.” — “I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader.” — From his reply on Thursday night, as reported by the Associated Press and NBC News Who actually chooses Who actually chooses Who actually chooses Who actually chooses What the job controls What the job controls — The majority leader “schedules business on the floor by calling bills from the calendar” — Both party leaders speak for their party’s positions — The majority leader has the right to be recognized before any other senator — Those are the Senate’s own words about the post Two careers, in numbers Two careers, in numbers 2017 the year Schumer became the Senate Democratic leader 1999 the year Schumer entered the Senate 2016 the year Van Hollen was first elected to the Senate 2003 the year Van Hollen entered the House Four Democratic leaders since 1989 Four Democratic leaders since 1989 — 1989 to 1995: George Mitchell of Maine. 1995 to 2005: Tom Daschle of South Dakota — 2005 to 2017: Harry Reid of Nevada. 2017 to now: Chuck Schumer of New York Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota, Democratic leader from 1995 to 2005; Senate portrait, 1995 Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, Democratic leader since 2017; official Senate portrait, March 2017 The race decided by one vote The race decided by one vote — In 1994 Senate Democrats chose a new leader between Tom Daschle and Christopher Dodd — Daschle, in 2004: “I was elected leader by one vote” — Dodd, the same week: “I am the individual who lost to him by one vote” — The Associated Press calls this year’s race the first contested one in decades The votes it takes The votes it takes — The Democratic caucus has 55 seats so far in the next Senate — A majority of 55 is 28 — The challenger says “more than 10” senators have committed to him — If Alaska’s undecided race goes to the Democrat: 56 seats, and 29 votes to win Who has said where they stand Who has said where they stand — For the challenger: Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, who says he “leads with courage and experience” — For the current leader: Senator Angus King of Maine, who asked, “Why would you fire the manager when you just won the World Series?” Most other Democratic senators have not said, the Associated Press reports Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who says he will support the challenger; Senate portrait, February 2007 Senator Angus King of Maine, who backs the current leader; official Senate portrait, January 2013 What Van Hollen says he would change What Van Hollen says he would change — Restore the Medicaid funding cut in last year’s budget law — Extend the health insurance tax credits in the first 100 days — Keep the party neutral in contested Democratic primaries — Put limits on money for the Iran war in the December 11 funding bill The case for keeping the leader The case for keeping the leader — Schumer’s supporters point to the election itself — Senator Angus King: “one of the principal architects of the most successful election in modern history” — Senator Catherine Cortez Masto credited him with “securing a historic majority” — NBC News reports that he remains favored to keep the post What to watch What to watch Early December: Senate Democrats vote behind closed doors, by secret ballot December 11: the deadline to fund the government January: the new Senate takes office, with Democrats in the majority No date set: the result of Alaska’s Senate race Millions elected the majority, and a secret ballot picks its leader Millions elected the majority, and a secret ballot picks its lead