Democrat Van Hollen demands bold agenda before backing Schumer
Van Hollen wants party commitments on targeting corporate interests, while Schumer says he expects to keep his leadership post.
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen urged his party on Wednesday to adopt a bold agenda against powerful corporate interests before choosing its Senate leader, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency reported, citing Bloomberg.
"No one should be committing to anybody as the next Democratic leader without having that conversation," the Maryland senator said in an interview with Bloomberg.
His remarks came after Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections, a major setback for President Donald Trump.
Van Hollen said, "We need commitments," before lawmakers decide whether to back Chuck Schumer or another candidate for Senate Democratic leader.
Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats for years, said he expected to keep his post and that the party should focus on what the American people want.
"The issue is not me. I'll be reelected as majority leader," he told reporters.
Van Hollen argued that the election wins reflected voters' desire to protect democracy and their economic interests, rather than a coordinated strategy by party leaders in Washington.
He called for a more populist approach aimed at working-class Americans and at challenging the influence of billionaires and major corporations.
"Working people have been screwed for way too long," Van Hollen said, adding that the country needs to unrig an economy built to serve billionaires and big corporations.
Van Hollen, who campaigned extensively for Democratic candidates, also criticized the party establishment's involvement in primary contests, pointing to disagreements over endorsements in Michigan.
The remarks come as pressure grows from the party's progressive wing for changes in leadership priorities after the election.
Van Hollen has expressed interest in a possible 2028 presidential run.
