Leading progressive voice on Mideast to challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate leadership

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, a leading progressive voice in the US Senate on the Middle East, has announced he will mount a leadership challenge to New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who has led the chamber's Democrats since 2017. Van Hollen posted about his intent to seek the post late on Wednesday night, local time, in Washington, DC. "In this election, Americans called on us to unrig an economy rigged against working people & fueled by political corruption. To deliver, we need new leadership. This isn't about any one person – it’s about answering that call," he wrote on X. "That's why I’m running for Senate Majority Leader." After a stunning midterm election outcome on 3 November that flipped both houses in Congress from red to blue, thanks to progressive messaging and candidates among Democrats, most of the freshman class is seeking a change in leadership. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Key among them is Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, who first floated Van Hollen's name as an alternative to Schumer, even though Van Hollen had not given any indication he was interested. Van Hollen, 67, was elected the same year Schumer became leader. Schumer, 75, has been largely credited with his fundraising prowess, which enabled Democrats to flip states that haven't seen anyone but a Republican in charge in decades. But he is also a centrist and a staunch defender of Israel, at a time when Democratic voters have moved to the left, and support for Israel is increasingly seen as a liability. He did not openly back Sayed's candidacy, in addition to some other progressives who called Israel's assault on Gaza a genocide, like in Maine and Minnesota. All of them won their races despite the lack of support. The United Nations and Holocaust scholars have deemed the ongoing attack and blockade on Gaza a genocide. Over 74,500 Palestinians have been killed in the assault. Schumer is also viewed as being too weak to take on President Donald Trump and too willing to compromise. The two New Yorkers have been friends for decades, with Schumer appearing on Trump's reality show, The Apprentice, in 2006. "I welcome any discussion about the future of our caucus and the important work ahead," Schumer wrote on X shortly after Van Hollen made his announcement, adding that he is confident he would still win. "I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together - 55 seats and counting is an amazing result - and I have the votes to continue serving as Democratic Leader. I look forward to leading our new Democratic majority and delivering for the American people." Americans want 'CHANGE' Van Hollen's announcement, at the very least, could step up the pressure on Schumer to take a less lenient approach to money that comes from pro-Israel lobbying groups, as well as US taxpayer money that goes to Israel. US House Democrat leader Jeffries will retain position despite opposition, sources say Read More » "My view is that we shouldn't take any Aipac money at the DSCC," Van Hollen told the US news channel MS Now on Wednesday night, referring to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Van Hollen is a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights and curbing US aid to Israel. Earlier this year, he rallied more than two dozen Democrats around a resolution to request human rights reports from the State Department on countries that receive US assistance. Israel is the largest recipient of US foreign aid, with $3.3bn received in 2025. The resolution failed, but once the 120th Congress is sworn in on 3 January, another attempt could succeed. Van Hollen has also been at the forefront of efforts to get accountability for Americans killed or wounded by Israeli settlers and forces, and has called on Washington to recognise a Palestinian state. He also co-wrote a report last year accusing the US of being complicit in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. In March 2025, based on intelligence shared by the former Biden administration, Van Hollen introduced a bill to stem Washington's inadvertent pipeline to the breakaway paramilitary in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It was blocked by Republicans some six months later, just after the RSF moved into el-Fasher and took over the Sudanese military's outpost. Van Hollen has, in many ways, taken up a role first carved out by the elder progressive in the Democratic caucus, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders ran for president twice as a leftist, but could not get the party establishment to back him. Instead, they chose Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. "This election was about CHANGE. The Democratic Party must CHANGE. Now is the time to take on the oligarchs and fight for working families," Sanders wrote on X on Wednesday night. "That is why I will be supporting Chris Van Hollen for Majority Leader."