Democrats are hoping to fill the vacuum left by Republicans‘ decision to avoid town halls, planning events across the country that highlight the Trump administration’s layoffs and federal funding cuts.

A series of events in all 50 states aims to capitalize on a recent warning from Republican leadership that its lawmakers should avoid such public forums.

N.Y., sidestepped questions on whether he had confidence in Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Friday. The top House Democrat was directly asked about Schumer twice during a hastily-announced press conference to emphasize their opposition to Republicans' government funding bill.

Dozens of House Democrats sent a letter to Schumer on Friday to express their “strong opposition” to his plan to back the Republican measure

In failing to demonstrate what they stand for, Democrats fumbled the chance to show why they deserve a return to power, centrists and progressives say.