Washington, D.C. — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is calling on his Republican colleagues to embrace bipartisanship in the coming years, despite a challenging election night for his party that saw Senate Democrats lose ground. Schumer’s remarks come as the final results of key races remain pending, potentially costing Democrats several Senate seats and altering the balance of power in the Senate.
“As we await the final tallies in elections across the country, Senate Democrats remain committed to our values and to working with our Republican colleagues to deliver for the American people,” Schumer said in a statement released after Election Day. “As I’ve said time and again, in both the majority and the minority, the only way to get things done in the Senate is through bipartisan legislation while maintaining our principles — and the next two years will be no different.”
While Schumer did not address the reasons behind the Democrats’ setbacks, it is clear the party’s control of the Senate will be jeopardized as Republicans are poised to claim at least three seats, with the possibility of more, depending on the outcomes of uncounted ballots in Pennsylvania and Nevada. These losses mark a major shift, as Democrats had hoped to retain or even expand their majority following the election.
Schumer also pointed to the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris, whose historic candidacy, he said, “inspired millions.” He praised Harris for her advocacy on key issues such as affordable housing, lower costs, and tax reform, emphasizing her lasting impact on both the country and the Democratic Party.
However, Schumer’s tone was notably optimistic despite the party’s defeat. The Senate leader had predicted only months earlier that Democrats would keep their majority, possibly even adding a seat in states like Texas or Florida. But as Republican candidates swept through key battlegrounds, Schumer’s predictions fell flat. Notably, long-serving Democratic Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) lost their races, swept away by a Republican tide that carried President-elect Donald Trump to victory in both states.
Schumer’s earlier comments about the strength of Senate Republicans’ challengers have come under scrutiny, especially as several Republican candidates proved successful in states that Democrats had long considered battlegrounds.
In August, Schumer had predicted that the Democratic candidates, including Tester and Brown, would perform well. “We’re seeing this in the Senate, our candidates are running even further ahead than we expected at this point,” Schumer said. “Our candidates, whether they be incumbent or not, they’re mainstream people. They’ve always focused on the mainstream. They are identified with their states.”
In contrast, Schumer had criticized Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for recruiting “a bunch of out-of-touch billionaires” — candidates he claimed were disconnected from the realities of their states and voters. The strong Republican showings on Election Night suggest that McConnell’s strategy may have resonated more than Schumer anticipated.
Despite his party’s setbacks, Schumer’s call for bipartisanship is a recognition of the new political landscape. With Republicans poised to take control of the Senate agenda next year, Schumer’s ability to forge deals across the aisle may be key to achieving legislative progress.
As Democrats brace for the new reality of a divided Congress, Schumer’s statement highlights the shifting dynamics in Washington, as both parties look ahead to a new chapter of collaboration, compromise, and competition.