Rep. Ro Khanna calls Sen. Chuck Schumer "out of touch," says "he is not meeting the moment"

Key Concepts

• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Tax Credits: Subsidies provided under the ACA to help individuals and families afford health insurance premiums.
• Government Shutdown: A situation where non-essential government operations cease due to a failure of Congress to pass appropriations bills.
• Filibuster: A parliamentary procedure in the Senate that allows a senator or group of senators to delay or block a vote on a bill or other measure.
• Generational Change in Leadership: The idea that new leaders, representing a younger generation, should take over from established figures.
• Grassroots Politics: Political activity that originates from ordinary citizens rather than from established political figures or organizations.
• Donor Base: Individuals or groups who contribute financially to a political party or campaign.

Unhappiness with the Senate Deal and its Consequences

Congressman Ro Khanna expresses significant unhappiness with the recently concluded Senate deal, primarily because he believes it will lead to a substantial increase in healthcare premiums for millions of Americans. He cites a specific example of a taxi driver in Arizona whose monthly insurance premium is projected to rise from $44 to $2,600. Khanna argues that Democrats should have fought harder to secure relief for these individuals, estimating that 20 million people across the country are similarly affected.

Blame Placed on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

Khanna places the majority of the blame for this outcome on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. He asserts that the deal would not have been approved without Schumer's endorsement, citing statements from other senators who confirm Schumer was kept informed throughout the negotiations. While acknowledging Schumer's past successes on legislation like the CHIPS Act, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and infrastructure, Khanna contends that Schumer is "not meeting the moment" and is "out of touch with where the party's base is." He suggests it is time for Schumer to be replaced.

Alternative Strategies and Missed Opportunities

Khanna argues that Democrats had alternative strategies they could have pursued. He dismisses the idea that Republicans would have remained "intransigent" on the healthcare issue until the government reopened. He points to Republican Michael Lawler's suggestion of a one-year extension for ACA tax credits as evidence that some compromise was possible. Khanna advocates for a permanent tax credit extension but believes a one-year or even six-month extension would have been achievable.

A key missed opportunity, according to Khanna, was not leveraging the situation to pressure Republicans to eliminate the filibuster. He notes that Donald Trump was reportedly concerned about the shutdown's impact on his electoral prospects and was pressuring Republicans to end it. Khanna believes that forcing Republicans to get rid of the filibuster would have been a better outcome than the current deal, which resulted in "nothing" for the ACA tax credits. He questions why Democrats made the ACA the central point of contention if they believed there was no chance of success.

The Value of a Prolonged Shutdown and Thanksgiving Holiday Disruption

When questioned about the potential damage and disruption of a prolonged shutdown, potentially lasting 45 to 55 days, over the Thanksgiving holidays, Khanna reiterates his belief that a deal could have been reached before Thanksgiving. This deal, he suggests, would have included an extension of ACA tax credits or forced Donald Trump to advocate for the elimination of the filibuster. He expresses frustration that Democrats abandoned working-class individuals who will face rising premiums, failing to put up a sufficient fight.

Disappointment and Perplexity Over Election Results and Party Disconnect

Khanna expresses disappointment and perplexity regarding the recent election results, especially after Democrats felt emboldened. He believes a segment of the party is "out of touch" with the party's base, which turned out in record numbers to support candidates like Abigail Spanberger, Mikie Sherrill, and Zohran Mamdani. These voters, he states, wanted Democrats to "stand up to this administration's lawlessness," advocate for healthcare, support working families, and "show fight for people against a system that is not working." Khanna feels Democrats disappointed these voters.

Call for Generational Change and New Leadership

Khanna believes the first step to recovery for the Democratic Party is "generational change and new leadership." He acknowledges being referred to as a "backbencher" for calling for the Senate Majority Leader to step down, but emphasizes that those in the "back" need to move to the "front." He advocates for a new generation of leadership for both the party and the country.

Schumer's Future and a Model for Graceful Exit

Regarding Chuck Schumer's future as Senate Majority Leader, Khanna states that Schumer will make his own decision. He doubts he is on Schumer's call list but would advise him, if they spoke, that while they have worked together successfully on legislation, Schumer is "not meeting this moment" and it is "time for someone else to lead in the Senate." Khanna suggests Schumer should serve out his term with dignity and focus on issues he cares about, drawing a parallel to Speaker Pelosi's "graceful way to cap out a career."

Donor Boycott and the Influence of the Donor Base

Khanna acknowledges hearing about conversations among Democrats regarding a potential donor boycott due to fury over the Senate deal. While he is unsure if this will materialize, he notes that the "activist base is the one that really wants new leadership." He believes that while Schumer is a formidable fundraiser, donor opinion is likely split. However, Khanna argues that the Democratic Party needs to "stop listening so much to the donor base." He emphasizes that while listening to contributors is important, an "overly focused" attention on them disconnects the party from grassroots politics.