Can Schumer even do this?
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is refusing to extend an invitation to Senator-elect Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania for the upcoming Senate orientation, despite McCormick’s victory being widely recognized. This move comes as Schumer points to the remaining ballots still to be counted in Pennsylvania, even though McCormick has already been projected as the winner by the Associated Press.
The Associated Press called the Pennsylvania Senate race for McCormick on November 7, two days after Election Day, with McCormick holding a lead of more than 30,000 votes over incumbent Senator Bob Casey. However, Schumer’s office has indicated that orientation will only be offered to the confirmed winner once all votes are tallied, claiming that over 100,000 ballots are still pending.
Republican leaders were quick to criticize Schumer’s refusal to invite McCormick. National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT) took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out Schumer, arguing that denying McCormick’s participation in orientation was an “outrageous” denial of legitimate election results. “The voters of Pennsylvania have spoken,” Daines declared, adding that Casey should concede, as he had “no path to overturn these results.”
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) also weighed in, emphasizing that McCormick’s victory was clear and that Schumer’s actions were “beyond unacceptable.” Thune expressed his eagerness to welcome McCormick into the Senate Republican Conference.
Similarly, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) lambasted Schumer and the Senate Democrats for “denying the election results” and insisted that Casey should concede immediately. Barrasso’s comments reflect a growing frustration among Republicans who see the refusal to invite McCormick to orientation as a deliberate effort to sow confusion over the race’s outcome.
Despite Schumer’s claims, critics argue that the remaining ballots are unlikely to change the result. Pennsylvania GOP strategist Mark Harris pointed out that McCormick’s lead is substantial enough that Casey would have no path to victory with the outstanding ballots still being counted, especially given the types of votes remaining, which traditionally lean Republican.
Schumer’s office also noted that Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has not been invited to orientation due to the ongoing nature of the Arizona Senate race. This is being used as a defense for withholding the invitation to McCormick, despite the stark contrast in the margins between the two races. In 2008, Senator Al Franken (D-MN) was also excluded from orientation until his race was finally decided after a recount, though Franken’s margin of victory was much narrower.
Interestingly, even some Democrats have acknowledged McCormick’s apparent victory. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) referred to McCormick as “Senator-elect” in a post to X, suggesting that Schumer’s refusal to allow McCormick to attend orientation is more about partisan politics than any legitimate uncertainty in the race.
For Republicans, Schumer’s decision to block McCormick’s participation in Senate orientation is seen as an attempt to undermine the clear will of Pennsylvania voters and delay the transition to the newly-elected leadership in the Senate. With McCormick poised to join the Republican ranks, his exclusion from this crucial event only adds fuel to the fire for Republicans who are ready to push back against Schumer’s tactics.