Sen. Bernie Sanders has become the biggest progressive name yet to say no to another term for Chuck Schumer at the top of the Senate Democrats. The Vermont independent, who votes with the Democratic caucus, made his position clear at a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Sanders said last week's midterms were a vote for something new. In his telling, voters in red and blue states alike are struggling to pay for food, health care and housing while the very rich keep getting richer. He said those voters expect Washington to change course.

He was careful to praise Schumer on a personal level. Sanders said he has known the New York senator for more than three decades, likes him and has never seen anyone work harder. But he said this is the moment for new leadership and that he will not vote to keep Schumer in charge.

A growing list of holdouts

Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin stood next to Sanders. She said she is not chasing the job herself but wants any candidate to lay out a concrete plan for the first 100 days, including how to put money in people's pockets and how to talk to voters differently. Until she sees that she said her answer is no.

Illinois Sen.-elect Juliana Stratton has also said she will not back Schumer. Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock has stopped short of an endorsement, saying the country is at a turning point and he wants to hear from anyone in the caucus who believes they should lead.

No one has formally stepped up to challenge Schumer. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen has come closest. After first saying he would not run he now says the party should not hand out a coronation and that he has been phoning colleagues while he decides.

What comes next

Democrats will hold at least 54 seats when the 120th Congress opens in January and could reach 56 depending on final results in Mississippi and Alaska. Schumer has said he is confident he will keep the top job.

The caucus is expected to choose its leaders in early December. Whoever wins will steer the new majority and decide which bills reach the Senate floor.