Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said on Wednesday that he will not commit to supporting Senator Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader until the party agrees to a bold agenda, pressing his colleagues for clear commitments before the leadership vote.
"We need commitments," Van Hollen said, according to a report by Anadolu Agency citing Bloomberg, adding that Democrats should decide on their agenda before choosing whether to back Schumer or another candidate for leader.
Van Hollen said Democrats need "an open and honest discussion" about who should lead the caucus, the Associated Press reported. "Whoever runs for leader should be able to lay out a clear vision about how we're going to use this power for good," he said.
Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats for years, has said he expects to keep the post and be reelected as majority leader when the new Congress is seated in January. Democrats won control of the Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections, holding at least 54 seats, according to Reuters.
Van Hollen has repeatedly declined to endorse Schumer for continued leadership through 2026, and he has expressed interest in a possible run for president in 2028. No formal challenge to Schumer has been announced.
