■ Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took stock of the Senate’s accomplishments.
Says America ready for ‘big, bold’ change
WASHINGTON — Wrapping up the most tumultuous Senate start in recent memory, new Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took stock Thursday of accomplishments including the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue while vowing action on voting rights, hate crimes and mounting Democratic priorities hitting stiff opposition from Republicans.
Far from hiding the expansive role of government emerging from President Joe Biden and Democratic control of Congress, Schumer embraced it. Leading the evenly split Senate, he stopped short of backing filibuster rules changes to advance the agenda. Still, the Democratic leader said the coronavirus pandemic has shown that Washington has a role to play in shoring up the nation’s health and economic security and tackling the other priorities.
“Just go out there and talk to the American people,” Schumer said at a news conference at the Capitol.
“COVID has shown so many of the problems in our society,” he said.
“So yes, I believe that America is ready for big, bold, comprehensive change. That’s what Joe Biden has proposed. His proposals are very popular. That’s some of the things we’ve done.”
Congress is about to pause for a two-week recess after a violent and emotionally wrenching start of the new year. The deadly Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, the impeachment trial of Donald Trump and ongoing pandemic restrictions have frayed relationships. Two elected GOP officials died of COVID-19, one before being sworn into office.
When senators return in April, they are poised for long and arduous debates over the agenda, and even the rules of the Senate.