Schumer Not Inviting David McCormick to Senate Orientation Sparks Fury

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who will relinquish control of the Senate in January, has not yet extended an invitation to Pennsylvania Senator-elect David McCormick for this week’s Senate orientation, according to Fox News. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from several Republican senators and others.

On November 7, the Associated Press (AP) declared McCormick, a Republican challenger, the winner of Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race, marking the defeat of three-term Democratic incumbent Bob Casey. However, other major news outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, and NBC, have not yet made a call on the race as of Sunday afternoon.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania raised concerns over the AP's premature call, tweeting on November 7, "We still have tens of thousands of votes to be counted across the Commonwealth. @AP_Politics shouldn't make a call in this race until every Pennsylvanian has their vote counted."

As of Sunday, Pennsylvania’s election results show McCormick leading Casey by 49 percent to 48.4 percent, with around 40,000 votes separating them. A small percentage of votes remains to be counted. If the margin between the candidates is 0.5 percent or less, state law would require an automatic recount, though candidates can request a recount at any margin.

Casey has not yet conceded. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday evening, he emphasized, "There are more than 100,000 votes still to be counted. We must allow that process to play out and ensure every eligible vote is counted." He reiterated his commitment to this principle in a post on Sunday, saying, "I'm committed to ensuring that Pennsylvanians' voices are heard."

McCormick, a businessman, veteran, and former CEO of Bridgewater Associates, was endorsed by President Trump in April. He also served as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs during the George W. Bush administration.

On Sunday afternoon, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida criticized Schumer’s decision, tweeting, “Schumer is not allowing @DaveMcCormickPA to participate in Senate orientation this week because Casey refuses to concede the race. What happened to all the demands that our leaders accept the outcome of the elections?” His tweet garnered 2 million views, with several Republican senators resharing it and voicing similar objections.

In response to Fox News, a Schumer spokesperson explained, "With over 100,000 ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania, the race has not been decided. As is custom, we will invite the winner once the votes are counted." Senate orientation is for newly elected members who will take office in January, and with Tuesday’s elections, the GOP is set to hold at least 52 seats in the Senate next session, shifting the chamber’s balance of power.

Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri also criticized Schumer, posting on X, "Chuck is an 'election denier' and this is an 'assault on our democracy.' Am I doing this right @chuckschumer? Stop being a baby & take the L." Similarly, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas stated, “Senator-elect Dave McCormick won. Chuck Schumer’s shameful, election-denying decision to block McCormick from Senate orientation shows Schumer’s true character.”

The "election-denying" remarks refer to the controversy following the 2020 presidential election when former President Trump refused to accept Joe Biden’s victory, alleging widespread voter fraud without evidence. While Trump won the 2024 election, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have since acknowledged the results.

Meanwhile, new Senator-elect Tim Sheehy of Montana, who defeated Senator Jon Tester, expressed frustration, calling Schumer’s decision “bulls***,” adding, “Schumer is a lame duck. @DaveMcCormickPA should show up anyway. We’ve got a country to save!” 

Minority Whip Senator John Thune of South Dakota also condemned Schumer’s actions, calling them “beyond unacceptable.” 

Alyssa Farah Griffin, co-host of The View and former White House director of strategic communications under Trump, described Schumer’s refusal to allow McCormick’s participation as a “bad look.”