Tim Kaine, Virginia Democrat, defends Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from liberal backlash

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia pushed back Sunday against liberal critics of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, saying the New York Democrat has been “an effective leader” and House Democrats should worry about their own chamber.

Mr. Kaine was among the eight Democrats who broke with Mr. Schumer last week and voted with Republicans to end the longest federal government shutdown in the nation’s history.

Mr. Schumer’s failure to keep his troops together has prompted criticism from within his party, with some Democrats floating the idea that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should challenge him in 2028. Rep. Ro Khanna of California has gone further, calling on Mr. Schumer to step down as Senate minority leader.

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Mr. Kaine brushed aside the chatter.

“So I don’t tell Ro Khanna or AOC or anybody else who you should pick as your House leader. Because I got a full-time job being a senator,” Mr. Kaine said Sunday. “I don’t need to freelance opinions about House leadership. They should focus on their own leadership and let senators do what we need to do to keep this country moving forward.”

He pointed to Mr. Schumer’s record as majority leader under President Joseph R. Biden, highlighting the passage of the American Rescue Plan, a transportation deal, and new gun restrictions.

“Being the minority leader is tough,” Mr. Kaine added.

Mr. Schumer opposed reopening the government, insisting Democrats hold the line to force Republicans to extend the enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.

President Trump and other Republicans said Mr. Schumer cared more about saving his political hide and avoiding a primary with Ms. Ocasio-Cortez than addressing rising health care costs.

Mr. Kaine said he broke ranks because of the toll of the shutdown on federal workers in Virginia, which is home to roughly 140,000 government employees.

He said last week’s deal guarantees a vote on extending the Obamacare subsidies, protects “federal workers from baseless firings” and ensures that federal workers receive back pay.

“I didn’t need all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed on health care,” Mr. Kaine said. “But what I needed was a moratorium on mischief so that the president couldn’t continue to abuse federal employees and congressionally funded programs.”

Critics counter that Democrats had Republicans on the ropes, arguing the government shutdown put a sharp focus on the affordability challenges that Mr. Trump has failed to address.

Mr. Khanna doubled down in a separate appearance on “Meet the Press,” saying the shutdown was “the final straw.”

He said “most Democrats around the country” do not support Mr. Schumer as the future leader of the party.

“I mean, he doesn’t inspire confidence,” Mr. Khanna said. “He’s not bold. He’s out of touch with the grassroots.”