Fifty-four young protesters were arrested Thursday during a Sunrise Movement sit-in at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Washington office, demanding new Democratic leadership and an end to the filibuster. The Daily Wire reported that Capitol Police confirmed the arrests at the Hart Senate Office Building on charges of crowding, obstructing and incommoding.
The protest comes as Schumer faces resistance inside his caucus ahead of a December leadership election. The Hill reported that Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Elissa Slotkin have emerged as possible alternatives, though neither has announced a challenge. Van Hollen is consulting colleagues, while Slotkin has called for new leadership but says she isn’t actively seeking the job.
Schumer, meanwhile, is telling colleagues he has the votes to lead the Democratic majority when it takes power in January. He has been meeting incoming senators and outlining an agenda that includes restoring expanded health-insurance subsidies and reversing Medicaid cuts. Six incoming Democratic senators have said they won’t support him, while others remain uncommitted.