Progressive challenge to Democratic Senate chief Schumer opens fight for bolder agenda

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, speaks during the What's Next conference in Denver on Friday. | BLOOMBERG

Bloomberg

Nov 14, 2026

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a progressive from Maryland, is challenging Sen. Chuck Schumer to lead the Senate next year, escalating a fight inside the Democratic Party over how aggressive to be in forcing an end to the Iran war and taking on corporate power.

Van Hollen cast Schumer as a status quo leader unprepared to meet the moment, insisting the sweeping Democratic election victories are a mandate for big changes in an economy he argues is rigged against working people. 

Crucially, Van Hollen has called for defunding the Iran war immediately, rather than postponing the confrontation until the new year and a new Congress. Schumer has said Democrats should use the power of the purse to end the war, but has not laid out a strategy to do so. 

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