In an interview with Bill Maher, Shapiro, a Democrat who’s widely seen as a likely candidate for president in 2028, also weighed in on cuts at the Department of Education and Trump's tariffs.

The Senate minority leader discusses the backlash to his vote on the Republican spending bill, how he sees his role within the party and his new book.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s calculated call to avoid a disruptive government shutdown alienates a political base enraged by President Donald Trump’s policies and frustrated at party elders’ cautious response.