Schumer says days of Trump's 'supplicant Senate' are over, vows to cut costs

Democrats intend to end Iran war, investigate White House over corruption claims

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday, according to NPR, that the results that gave Democrats control of the House and Senate signify a “generational remake of the Senate map.” Speaking to reporters outside the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C., the New York Democrat declared, “The days of Trump’s supplicant Senate are over.”

“These voters did not give us the majority so we can do whatever we want,” Schumer said. “They entrusted us with the majority to do what they — the American people — want.”

Schumer vowed that “relief is on the way” for voters, while acknowledging that some remain skeptical that Democrats will deliver. He said Democrats are intent on bringing down the cost of living, ending the Iran war and undertaking investigations into the White House to address allegations of corruption. “We are going to work hard to drive costs down with the president or without him,” Schumer said.

President Trump hasn’t shied away from saying he will use his veto pen on Democratic legislative priorities, but has also signaled some openness to cutting deals with the new Democratic-controlled Congress.

The remarks came after Democrats secured major gains in red states President Trump previously carried, winning Senate races in Iowa, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas, according to NPR. Kansas delivered a history-making victory; the state had not sent a Democrat to the Senate in 94 years.

Schumer, who is set to become Senate majority leader in January, credited the wins to a crop of candidates who “knew how to tailor their message to the states.”

Democrats now hold a 54-seat Senate majority, a total that includes the two independent senators who caucus with the party. Two races have still not been called: Alaska and Mississippi.