A number of Democratic governors spoke with Senator Chuck Schumer Wednesday night, pressing him to rally his caucus to oppose President Donald Trump’s actions and nominations, according to a source familiar with the conversation.
The governors urge Senate Democrats to respond more forcefully against Trump. An aide to Schumer described the meeting as a discussion of the Trump administration’s executive orders, “his erratic policies,” and the impact they have on states.
According to a person familiar with the call who was granted anonymity to describe a private conversation, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey were the most vocal about Senate Democrats needing to remain united against some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, a few of whom have received bipartisan support.
On the conference were Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who heads the Democratic Governors Association, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
The call came just before a US Army helicopter crashed with an American Airlines jet aircraft from Kansas to Washington, sending shockwaves through the capital city in what is thought to be one of the country’s most devastating aviation accidents in decades.
The Democratic governors emphasized to Schumer that their states are bearing the brunt of Trump’s executive measures, including imminent intentions to withhold federal cash.
Schumer, a New York Democrat, scheduled the call, which Pritzker helped manage.
Schumer credited the governors for forcing Trump and Russell Vought, the president’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, to withdraw the spending freeze order.
However, this is only one victory, and Schumer and the governors are well aware that there will be more battles to come. Trump has previously said that the spending freeze order was overturned, but not the plan to make future cutbacks.
