Reality bites Schumer as Senate Dems reel over divisive votes

• Schumer met for over an hour with about a dozen senators Thursday afternoon to discuss general strategy. Axios scooped the meeting.
• Now Schumer wants to take the pulse of his full membership.

Zoom in: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has lined up a vote on sanctioning the ICC as the Senate's next legislative piece of business. It could come as early as next week, depending on the pace of Cabinet confirmations.

• The ICC sanctions bill, which imposes penalties on ICC officials involved in prosecuting Americans or citizens of U.S.-allied countries that are not a party to the ICC, has nearly universal support in the Republican Party.
• But it puts vulnerable Democrats in a difficult political position between pro-Israel groups and progressive activists who think Israeli officials are guilty of war crimes.

What they're saying: "I am reviewing the bill," said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) after the meeting, declining to say how he planned to vote.

• "I think folks are still trying to work through some amendments and I am going to have to wait and see," Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) told Axios after meeting with Schumer.
• "I think all of us would like to see the ICC perform differently but do it in a way that ensures that our allies and partners are still supporting and working with us," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

Between the lines: The House and Senate GOP control their chambers' calendars, giving them a tactical advantage over Schumer and the Democrats who represent districts and states that President Trump won in 2024.

• They used the Laken Riley Act, which allows for greater detention of undocumented immigrants, to divide the Democratic caucus and score a quick political win.

What's next: The House GOP bill banning transgender women from playing in women's sports is also in the pipeline.