Just hours after Georgia voters elected two Democrats, flipping the Senate majority, on Jan. 5, Sen. Charles E. Schumer reveled in the victory and said his caucus — handed power for the first time in six years — was “committed to delivering the bold change and help that Americans need and demand.”

In the months since, Schumer has repeatedly promised “big and bold” solutions to the problems ailing America. He now may be on the cusp of delivering them amid his most perilous test of leadership yet, with a bipartisan infrastructure deal moving closer to fruition, a multi-trillion-dollar economic and social policy plan waiting in the wings, and the fate of President Biden’s governing agenda hanging in the balance.

The fresh progress has come as memories of the legislative bravura that pushed a sweeping $2 trillion pandemic relief package through a 50-50 Senate back in March have faded and Democrats have been dealt setbacks on key issues, such as voting rights and police reform.