Senate Democrats Elect Charles Schumer To Be Minority Leader

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Senate Democrats have elected Chuck Schumer to be their new minority leader when Congress convenes in January. The New Yorker will be Washington's most powerful Democrat as the party confronts an all-Republican government led by Donald Trump.

Democrats unanimously picked Schumer at a closed-door meeting Wednesday. He will succeed Harry Reid, the combative Nevada Democrat who is retiring in January after 30 years in the Senate.

"We're ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Republicans, working with soon-to-be President Trump on issues where we agree, but we will go toe to toe against the president-elect whenever our values or the progress we've made is under assault," Schumer said at a press conference Wednesday.

Republicans will control the White House, the House and Senate.

Republicans will have a 52-48 edge in the Senate. Democrats will have some leverage because on important issues, they'll likely force Republicans to garner 60 votes to end filibusters.

It won't always be possible for Schumer to keep Senate Democrats together because many will seek re-election in two years from GOP-leaning states.

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