Jake Auchincloss

Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) stopped short Sunday of calling for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to be replaced — but she said it's time for Senate Democrats to decide if he's the man for the moment. Why it matters: Schumer's decision to help Republicans pass a GOP-led funding bill to keep the government's lights on despite intense pressure to block the legislation highlighted growing fractures within his party that may put his job in jeopardy. When asked by reporters Friday if it was time for new leadership, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) provided no defense for his Senate counterpart, simply saying, "Next question."The rage brewing within Jeffries' caucus erupted Thursday after Schumer said he'd back the stopgap measure, prompting discussion of primary challenges and Senate floor protests, Axios' Andrew Solender reports.Driving the news: Crockett said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that Schumer was "absolutely wrong" in his contention that a shutdown would have created a "far worse consequence.""The idea that Chuck Schumer is the only one that's got a brain in the room and the only one that can think though all the pros and cons is absolutely ridiculous," she said.Asked if Senate Democrats should replace their leader, Crockett said the caucus should "sit down and take a look and decide whether or not Chuck Schumer is the one to lead in this moment."Friction point: Some Dems are so enraged they've encouraged a fellow New Yorker to primary Schumer: Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who said Schumer's move triggered a "deep sense of outrage and betrayal" across the party.Asked if she'd back Ocasio-Cortez in a campaign to oust Schumer, Crockett said it's too early to give an answer, but added "younger, fresher leadership" might be on voters' minds — "especially in the state of New York."By the numbers: While Dems trade barbs, new polling shows the party has hit record-low popularity.Just 27% of registered voters said they have positive views of the party, according to NBC News polling out Sunday. That's the party's lowest positive rating in the outlet's polling dating back to 1990.CNN's latest poll, also out Sunday, has the Democratic party's favorability at 29% among the American public — also a historic low dating back to 1992.CNN notes that number is in part driven by Democrats' dissatisfaction with their own party.What they're saying: Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) said on CBS News' "Face the Nation" Sunday that she's feeling that anger from constituents in her town halls."People are scared, they want to see us do something," she said. "They want to see Democrats fighting back."She contended Schumer sent out "mixed signals" ahead of the funding vote.Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Schumer "certainly can lead this caucus" and that he still supports him as leader.But he noted, "I think the only way that we are going to be effective as a caucus is if we change our tactics," later saying, "if we continue to engage in business as usual, this democracy could be gone."A shutdown, he said, would've "sent a message that the Democratic Party is not going to be bullied by Donald Trump."Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) on "Fox News Sunday" framed the "generational tension" and debate within the party as "healthy," saying Republicans aligning in "lockstep" behind Trump are the "unhealthy" ones.After the losses of 2024, he said, "we're going to be debating internally as a party. I think that's exactly what American voters expect of us."Yes, but: Some Democrats think the public debate is handing Trump ammo while he faces his own myriad challenges to his aggressive blitz of early executive actions."I think Chuck Schumer's a great leader," Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) said on CNN Sunday. Asked if he's the man for the job at this moment, she answered, "I don't think we should be talking about that and giving Trump any more wins."Go deeper: Inside House Dems' furious anti-Schumer movement

Donald Trump’s anti-wind orders dealt the final blow, but Joe Biden’s permitting reform failure started the death spiral.

President Donald Trump's longstanding dislike of wind power is now costing Americans jobs.The Public's Radio reports that Italian company Prysmian has abandoned plans to build a factory in Somerset, Massachusetts that would have built undersea cables to connect to offshore wind farms due to what the report describes as Trump's "hostility" to wind-power projects.The factory was projected to have created between 200 to 350 manufacturing jobs in the area, which is near the border with neighboring state Rhode Island.“Donald Trump has unraveled that promise of good jobs by threatening a moratorium on offshore wind, generating so much uncertainty that companies pull back investment,” U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) said in a statement.ALSO READ: 'Handful' of GOP senators said to have growing concerns about Hegseth after new reportsTo be sure, Trump wasn't the sole cause for the project's demise, as some local residents had spent years fighting against it.But local economic development consultant Ken Fiola tells The Public's Radio that Trump's election last year may have been the tipping point.“Ultimately, there were enough paper cuts to delay the project,” he said. “And then when Trump came in with a new emphasis on energy, I think that was the final nail in the coffin.”Trump has vowed to unleash the potential of American oil production despite the fact that oil production already hit record highs throughout former President Joe Biden's administration.

A $300 million offshore wind cable plant development project in Somerset that President Biden visited in July 2022, ushering in the country’s transition to clean energy, is off the table after its Italian developer walked away from it.

The House's Fentanyl Policy Working Group offers three bills aimed at holding the Chinese Communist Party to account for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans.

‘China has profited from the destruction of American lives,’ said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.).

Congressional power is beginning to come into focus, with House Republicans on the verge of securing a majority in the chamber, like the party has in the Senate, and promising swift action on President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.“We have to do that while we have the energy and excitement, beginning on the very first day of the Congress in the new year,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said.As of Tuesday night, House Republicans have won 215 seats compared to 206 for Democrats, leaving the GOP just three shy of retaining the speaker’s gavel.Political analysts say the Republican power shift represents a mandate from voters.“In many ways, it’s a carte blanche,” said UMass professor Erin O’Brien. “He can do almost anything he wants because Republicans know that to go up against Donald Trump is to pay electorally.”Massachusetts Democrats are feeling those same headwinds.“We need to figure out how to appeal to the majority of Americans so that we can start winning elections again,” Rep. Seth Moulton said.“I think Democrats have to have our own bold, audacious agenda,” Rep. Jake Auchincloss said.They promised to keep fighting for their priorities, both in Washington, D.C., and at home in Massachusetts.“We’re going to keep chasing federal funding, work with federal programs,” Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said.“If they’re going to break the law like they did in the first term, Democrats are going to protect the Constitution and hold them to account,” Auchincloss said.O’Brien believes those goals are attainable if Democrats can find footholds in the Republican-dominated government.“Once the policy nitty gritty gets started, Democrats, even though they weren’t favored by the electorate this go-around, a lot of their policies are more favorable,” O’Brien said.More election newsMaine14 hours agoRanked voting will decide pivotal Maine congressional race. How does that work?news9 hours agoTrump's win may put this popular student loan forgiveness program at riskDonald TrumpNov 11Trump has vowed to kill US offshore wind projects. Will he succeed?

Four incumbent Democrats face challengers in U.S. House districts in Massachusetts

Democrats marked the one-year anniversary of the terror attack on Israel Oct. 7 by repeating their calls for a cease-fire. This was incredibly bad timing and an affront to our Israeli allies.

Vice President Kamala Harris' choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as running mate has opened up questions into where the possible vice president stands on Israel.

Jewish organizations reacted to Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as running mate, with the groups offering mixed reactions to the new ticket.

Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows