Chuck Schumer’s decision to back the House GOP funding bill on Thursday was the breaking point for many House Democrats. Now, they’re calling on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to challenge him for his Senate seat in 2028.
Ocasio-Cortez, speaking to reporters at a Democratic retreat in Leesburg, Virginia, made her feelings clear: Schumer’s vote was a betrayal. “There is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal,” she said, explaining that House Democrats are trying every method—texting, calling, and even sending “carrier pigeons”—to rally against Schumer’s support for the GOP bill.
“The time to correct course is now. Senate Democrats can still vote no. That’s our focus right now,” Ocasio-Cortez continued, condemning her Senate colleagues for not standing up to the Republicans. “They’ve completely rolled over and given up on protecting the Constitution.”
Behind the scenes, frustration with Schumer is growing. Multiple House Democrats are privately urging Ocasio-Cortez to run for Senate, with some even offering financial support. “They were so mad, they were ready to write checks for AOC for Senate,” one anonymous representative told CNN. Even centrist Democrats, furious with Schumer’s move, are getting behind the idea of an Ocasio-Cortez challenge.
But Ocasio-Cortez hasn’t committed to a Senate run yet. She’s focusing on pressuring Senate Democrats to reject the GOP bill.
“There are members of Congress who have taken risks in Trump districts to defend the American people, defend Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. Seeing Senate Democrats even consider compromising with Elon Musk is a slap in the face,” she said. “It’s a huge betrayal, and if they go forward with this, there’s going to be real anger.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s criticism isn’t just limited to Schumer. She’s consistently spoken out against figures like Trump and Musk, calling them out for their actions and their influence. While 2028 is still a few years off, it’s clear that Ocasio-Cortez is becoming a powerful voice in the party, and if she decides to challenge Schumer, she could have a lot of support—even from unexpected corners.
The growing calls for Ocasio-Cortez to run aren’t just about one vote—they’re about what Schumer’s decision represents: a lack of fight against a Republican agenda that’s doing real harm to the American people. Democrats, especially the progressive wing, are fed up. The question now is whether Ocasio-Cortez will take the challenge—and whether Schumer’s grip on his seat will last much longer.
