Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faces a defining challenge this fall as Congress prepares to negotiate a critical government funding bill. With President Trump in his second term and Republicans controlling both chambers — 53-47 in the Senate and 219-212 in the House — Schumer must balance appeasing frustrated Democratic voters while negotiating with Republicans to avoid a government shutdown by October 1.

Schumer previously drew heavy criticism from within his own party after supporting a procedural motion on a GOP-led stopgap bill in March, which allowed it to bypass the filibuster. Although he ultimately voted against its passage, progressives accused him of enabling Republican spending priorities without concessions. Calls for Schumer to either step down or adopt a more combative strategy have since intensified.

At the same time, the Democratic Party is facing a sharp decline in voter registrations. A New York Times analysis found that, for the first time since 2018, more new voters have registered as Republicans than Democrats. Between the 2020 and 2024 elections, Democrats lost 2.1 million registrants while Republicans gained 2.4 million — a 4.5 million-voter swing.

Even in traditionally blue states like California, the erosion has been significant. Republican gains have been especially strong among men, younger voters, and Latinos — a shift that challenges long-held assumptions about partisan demographics and could reshape future electoral strategies for both parties.

Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have urged Republican leadership to meet and avoid a funding lapse. However, with Democrats’ shrinking base and visible internal divisions, their influence in the upcoming negotiations may be weaker than ever.