Senate Dems vote unanimously to make Schumer minority leader

Senate Democrats elected Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York to be their minority leader, succeeding 29-year veteran Harry Reid.

They voted unanimously Wednesday morning to make Schumer the chief antagonist to incoming president Donald Trump, leading critical battles against the White House and Republican-controlled Congress. Schumer is expected to take the post when Congress resumes its session and votes to approve the nomination in January.

“We are ready to go toe to toe with Republicans,” Schumer told reporters, noting that Democrats “can’t flinch and can’t ignore” the results of the election.

He is the first New York senator to hold the position.

Republicans re-elected Mitch McConnell of Kentucky as Senate majority leader.

The Senate Democrats also voted to make Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren vice chair, as well as Vermont independent Bernie Sanders as “chair of outreach.”