AOC keeps getting closer and closer to becoming a top Democrat official and it’s terrifying.
Democrats are furious after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) joined Republicans to pass a government funding bill, with some even suggesting that Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) challenge Schumer for his Senate seat in 2028.
The decision by Schumer to support a measure to fund the government through September, thereby avoiding a government shutdown, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from progressives. Many in the far-left wing of the Democratic Party view Schumer’s vote as a betrayal, accusing him of surrendering to Republicans and undermining their efforts to resist GOP priorities. This has led to a flurry of calls for Ocasio-Cortez to step up and challenge Schumer in the next Senate race.
Sources inside the Democratic Party revealed that many Democrats at a retreat in Virginia this week are so upset that they are even prepared to financially support Ocasio-Cortez’s potential bid against Schumer. According to one House Democrat, these progressives are ready to “write checks” for AOC in her effort to dethrone Schumer, signaling the intensity of the backlash within the party’s left-wing base.
Ocasio-Cortez, however, has kept her cards close to the chest. While she did not commit to a challenge, she voiced her frustrations with Schumer’s decision. In a statement, Ocasio-Cortez called Schumer’s vote a “huge slap in the face” and accused Senate Democrats of betraying their values by “acquiescing” to powerful figures like Elon Musk.
The controversy surrounds Schumer’s shift in stance after initially opposing the funding bill. He reversed course, citing the dire consequences of a government shutdown, which he argued would harm the American people more than passing the legislation. Schumer said that his job was to make the best decision for the country, even if it meant disappointing some in his party.
This flip-flop has angered liberals who hoped the Democrats could stand firm against Republicans who control both chambers of Congress. In response, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Schumer’s move, calling the bill a “devastating assault” on working-class families. Meanwhile, President Trump praised Schumer’s decision, calling it a bold and necessary step to prevent further damage to the country.
The fallout from Schumer’s vote is a reminder that divisions within the Democratic Party run deep, with the far-left pushing back against any sign of compromise with Republicans. It also sets the stage for a potentially fierce battle in the 2028 Senate race, where Ocasio-Cortez could emerge as a challenger to Schumer’s long-held position.