Warren, Sanders tapped to serve on Senate Democrat leadership team

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published 16 November 2016

In a closed-door meeting Wednesday, Senate Democrats unanimously elected Sen. Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) to serve as Senate minority leader and chair of the conference for the 115th Congress. Schumer will succeed Sen. Harry Reid (Nev.), who is retiring after three decades in Congress. Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.) will be minority whip, while Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.) was named assistant Democratic leader.

In a nod to the party's progressive wing, both Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) — an independent who caucuses with the Democrats — were given roles on the new leadership team. Warren was tapped as vice chair of the conference, while Sanders will serve as chair of outreach.

Senate Democrats face a tough battle ahead, with Republicans likely wielding a 52-48 advantage in the Senate, assuming Republican John Kennedy wins Louisiana's December runoff, in addition to control over the House of Representatives and the presidency. However, Time noted, Democrats "will have some leverage because on important issues, they'll likely force Republicans to garner 60 votes to end filibusters."