By Gizem Nisa Cebi
ISTANBUL (AA) – The US Senate minority leader has postponed his book tour on Monday, citing security concerns amid criticism from Democratic voters over his recent government funding vote.
"Due to security concerns, Senator (Chuck) Schumer's book events are being rescheduled," spokesperson Risa Heller said in a statement.
Schumer, a New York Democrat, was set to promote his book Antisemitism in America: A Warning with events in Baltimore, New York City, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, and California. The tour was scheduled to begin Monday, a day before the book’s official release.
The delay follows expected protests after Schumer’s controversial vote last week to advance a Republican-led funding measure to avoid a government shutdown.
Although he opposed the bill in its final passage, he initially helped clear a procedural hurdle, providing crucial Democratic votes needed to keep the government funded through September.
-Progressives demand new leadership
Critics argue that the stopgap funding bill strengthens President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who now wields broad influence over controversial government restructuring plans. But Schumer defended his vote, calling it a "Hobson’s choice."
"For sure, the Republican bill is a terrible option," Schumer said last week. "But I believe allowing Donald Trump to take even much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option."
Schumer had initially signaled that Democrats would take a hard stance against the GOP-backed resolution but later claimed that a shutdown could inflict greater damage.
Progressive activists, including Indivisible and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, have called for new Senate leadership.
"People are furious about Democrats not having a plan to fight Trump – and supposed ‘leaders’ folding (over) and over again," said Adam Green, co-founder of the PCCC, accusing Schumer of "hiding" from constituents in a statement.
Demonstrators have staged protests outside Schumer’s Brooklyn home this week, while some Democrats have floated a primary challenge from progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. When asked about the prospect, Schumer dismissed it, saying 2028 was "a long time away."
Meanwhile, the funding fight has deepened tensions between House and Senate Democrats. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to comment on whether it was time for a change in Senate leadership.
Schumer’s office has not yet announced new dates for the postponed book tour events.