Thune and Schumer avoid recess travel blitz amid increasing unpopularity
During the August recess, Senate leaders John Thune (R-SD) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have maintained a low profile despite typically campaigning during this period. Thune has faced criticism for his inability to pass the voter ID and election integrity bill known as the SAVE America Act, which has led to tension with the White House and calls from former President Trump to cancel the recess until the bill is passed. Thune has been active in campaigning across various states, but remains unpopular, with a CNN poll showing low approval ratings. Similarly, Schumer’s popularity has also waned, with some Democratic candidates campaigning against him, and he has been scrutinized for his voting record and perceived lack of aggressive action against Trump. The Republican side is focused on defending key senate seats in states like North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Texas, and Iowa, with some races shifting toward Democrats. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has spent August traveling nationally, including visits to Maine and Virginia. Both leaders face challenges in their strategies and electoral prospects ahead of the midterms.
August recess typically offers a prime time for party leaders to barnstorm the country in support of their candidates in battleground races.
But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have had a quiet recess amid discontent from their respective bases.
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Thune and Schumer are unpopular, according to a CNN poll last month. Thune came in at 12% favorable and 26% unfavorable, while Schumer was at 15% favorable and 44% unfavorable.
Schumer has taken heat over the last two years as more Democrats call on him to pass the torch and that he has not done enough to combat President Donald Trump.
Schumer’s unpopularity may have even made him a liability on the campaign trail. Some candidates, including Abdul el Sayed in Michigan and Graham Platner in Maine, who has since suspended his campaign after allegations of sexual misconduct, explicitly campaigned on opposing him for Democratic leader.
Thune, for his part, has drawn the ire of the GOP base as the SAVE America Act — the voter ID and election integrity bill championed by Trump — remains stuck in Senate purgatory without the votes to break the filibuster.
A source familiar told the Washington Examiner that Thune has spent time on the campaign trail throughout August, in addition to attending agriculture events in South Dakota to discuss the farm bill and E15 gas. He has also been continuously ridiculed in the comments of his social media posts detailing his stops across South Dakota, as people call on him to pass the SAVE America Act.
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Thune’s inability to shepherd the bill across the finish line has led to some tense moments with the White House, with Trump calling him out in the Oval Office and urging Thune to cancel August recess to pass the bill.
“John Thune should not allow the United States Senate to ‘leave town’ until it passes The Save America Act or, far better still, TERMINATES THE FILIBUSTER, where Republicans can then quickly pass everything they ever dreamed of, including a full and deep throated SAVE AMERICA ACT, the Budget, and the ever looming Debt Ceiling disaster, 1929!” the president wrote.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Schumer’s office for comment as to his whereabouts. His social media presence has been quiet about travels, though he is known to keep a 62-county tradition in which he travels to each county in New York during the monthlong break.
Schumer has been at odds with his base for folding on issues popular to the Democratic electorate, particularly after he voted last year in favor of one of the GOP-backed continuing resolutions funding the government.
The vote only heightened calls for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to challenge Schumer in 2028 and for Senate Democrats to nominate new leadership.
Republicans are defending states like North Carolina, Maine, and Ohio, along with Texas and Iowa, two states that look increasingly competitive this cycle.
Democrats would need to flip four Republican-held seats and defend critical states in Michigan, New Hampshire, and Georgia to regain control of the Senate. Democrats’ chances of defending Michigan might have taken a dent after el Sayed, a progressive, won the primary over the more centrist Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), who was backed by Schumer.
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Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has crisscrossed the country throughout August, including stops in both Maine and Virginia on Monday.
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