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Chuck Schumer
Chuck Schumer official photo (3x4 cropped).jpg
Official portrait, 2017
United States Senator
from New York
Assumed office
January 3, 1999
Serving with Kirsten Gillibrand
Preceded by Al D'Amato
Senate Minority Leader
Assumed office
January 3, 2025
Whip Dick Durbin
Preceded by Mitch McConnell
In office
January 3, 2017 – January 20, 2021
Whip Dick Durbin
Preceded by Harry Reid
Succeeded by Mitch McConnell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
In office
January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1999
Preceded by Elizabeth Holtzman
Succeeded by Anthony Weiner
Constituency
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 45th district
In office
January 1, 1975 – December 31, 1980
Preceded by Stephen Solarz
Succeeded by Daniel L. Feldman
Personal details
Born
Charles Ellis Schumer

(1950-11-23) November 23, 1950 (age 74)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse
Iris Weinshall
(m. 1980)
Children 2
Relatives Amy Schumer (cousin)
Education Harvard University (BA, JD)
Signature
Website

Charles Ellis Schumer (born November 23, 1950) is an American politician. He is the senior United States Senator from New York. He has held this position since 1999. As a member of the Democratic Party, he has led the Senate Democratic Caucus since 2017. He was the Senate Majority Leader from 2021 to 2025. He has also served as Senate minority leader from 2017 to 2021 and again since 2025.

Schumer became New York's senior senator in 2001. This happened when Daniel Patrick Moynihan retired. He was elected to his fifth term in 2022. This made him the longest-serving U.S. senator from New York. He is also the leader of New York's group of lawmakers in Congress.

Schumer grew up in Brooklyn. He graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Before becoming a senator, he served in the New York State Assembly from 1975 to 1980. He then served nine terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 1999. In 1998, Schumer was elected to the Senate. He won against Al D'Amato. He has been reelected several times, including in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022.

From 2005 to 2009, Schumer led the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. This group helps elect Democrats to the Senate. Under his leadership, Democrats gained 14 Senate seats in the 2006 and 2008 elections. He was the third-highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate. He became the Democratic leader in the Senate in 2016.

In January 2021, Schumer became Senate majority leader. He was the first Jewish Senate leader in U.S. history. As majority leader, he helped pass important laws. These included the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. He also helped confirm many federal judges. This included Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first African American woman on the Supreme Court.

Early Life and Education (1950–1974)

Schumer was born on November 23, 1950. His parents were Selma and Abraham Schumer. His father ran an exterminating business. His mother was a homemaker. His family is Jewish. He is also a distant cousin of comedian Amy Schumer. His family came from a town in what is now western Ukraine.

Schumer went to public schools in Brooklyn. He graduated as the top student from James Madison High School in 1967. He then attended Harvard College. He first studied chemistry but later switched to social studies. He graduated with honors in 1971. He then went to Harvard Law School and earned his law degree in 1974. He passed the New York state bar exam in 1975. However, he chose to work in politics instead of practicing law.

Early Career in Government (1975–1998)

Schumer-1987-
Schumer during the
100th Congress

In 1974, Schumer was elected to the New York State Assembly. He served three terms, from 1975 to 1981.

In 1980, Schumer ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He won and was reelected eight times. He represented districts in Brooklyn and Queens. During his time in the House, he worked on various issues. He introduced the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993. He also helped oversee an investigation into the Waco siege in 1995.

Serving in the U.S. Senate (1999–Present)

Chuck Schumer 113th Congress
Schumer during the
107th Congress

In 1998, Schumer ran for the U.S. Senate. He won the Democratic primary. In the general election, he defeated the Republican incumbent, Al D'Amato.

In 2004, Schumer was reelected with a large majority of the votes. He won almost every county in New York State. He was also reelected in 2010, 2016, and 2022.

Many people who worked for Schumer later became important politicians themselves. After the 2016 presidential election, Schumer said the Democratic Party needed a stronger economic message. He urged Democrats to focus on making college more affordable.

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Schumer with his fellow congressional leaders in January 2020

Leading Senate Democrats

58th Presidential Inaugural Ceremony 170120-D-BP749-1327
Schumer attending the first inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States, January 20, 2017
Donald Trump and Mike Pence meeting with members of the Senate leadership in the Oval Office C29nHX5UQAE18J6
Schumer is among the members of the Senate leadership meeting with Donald Trump and Mike Pence in the Oval Office, January 24, 2017.

In November 2016, the Senate Democratic Caucus chose Schumer as their minority leader. He was the first person from New York and the first Jewish person to lead the Senate. On January 20, 2021, Democrats gained control of the Senate. This made Schumer the majority leader. He replaced Republican Mitch McConnell.

In March 2025, Schumer faced some criticism. He first opposed a bill to fund the government. Then he changed his mind, saying a government shutdown would be worse. This decision caused some disagreement among other Democrats.

Political Style and Public Image

20080702 Brown next to Clinton and Higgins while Schumer speaks
Schumer and Hillary Clinton at Erie Canal Harbor opening ceremony
President Barack Obama is met by Sen. Chuck Schumer
Schumer and President Barack Obama in October 2013

Schumer is known for being very public. Some people joke that he always finds a television camera. However, his use of media has helped him connect with people. He often appears on TV and in the news.

In Washington, Schumer has worked to find common ground on big issues. These include health care, immigration, and financial rules.

He was in charge of organizing the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. A photo of him smiling behind Malia Obama became very popular online.

Focus on Local Issues

Chuck Schumer 49th Binghamton Parade Day
Schumer at the Binghamton St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 5, 2016
Chuck Schumer at protest (32328519331)
Schumer attended an anti-Trump march in New York City on January 21, 2017.

Schumer is proud of visiting all 62 counties in New York every year. He is the only New York senator to do this. He focuses on local issues important to everyday New Yorkers. These include tourism, local taxes, and creating jobs. For example, he spoke out when Adidas planned to move NBA jersey production overseas. He also helped keep Canon Inc. in Long Island by securing road funding.

In November 2017, Schumer announced funding for Head Start programs in Erie County. These programs help young students succeed. In January 2018, he asked the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to build a new veterans cemetery in Western New York.

Key Policy Positions

Schumer has taken clear stances on many important issues.

Healthcare

Schumer supported President Obama's health reform laws. He voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He has also worked to ensure that health insurance programs are fair for everyone.

Homeland Security

Schumer has worked to get funding for New York's security. He helped secure billions of dollars after the September 11 attacks. He also worked to protect New York City's public transportation. He supports programs that help fire departments get funding for important equipment.

Immigration

Schumer was part of the "Gang of Eight" in the Senate. This bipartisan group worked on a major immigration reform bill in 2013. The bill passed the Senate but did not become law. He has also pushed for solutions for young immigrants known as "Dreamers."

Gun Laws

In 1994, Schumer helped write the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. This law banned certain semi-automatic weapons. He has also supported background checks for all gun sales. He has also supported hunters by sponsoring grants for hunting and fishing.

Supreme Court

Schumer plays a key role in confirming judges to the Supreme Court. He has often called for nominees to be fair and impartial. He has also spoken out when he believes the court is becoming too political.

Technology and the Internet

Schumer has supported net neutrality rules. These rules ensure that all internet traffic is treated equally. He believes this helps the economy and keeps the internet fair for everyone. He has also raised concerns about privacy on social media platforms like Facebook.

Other Work

In 2007, Schumer published a book called Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time. The book shares strategies for Democrats to connect with middle-class voters.

In November 2023, Schumer made his Broadway debut. He performed as the Producer in Gutenberg! The Musical! for one night.

Personal Life

Schumer married Iris Weinshall on September 21, 1980. Their wedding took place at the World Trade Center. Iris Weinshall was New York City's transportation commissioner from 2000 to 2007. The Schumers live in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

They have two daughters, Jessica and Alison. Both daughters also graduated from Harvard College. Jessica has worked in government. Alison is a marketing manager at Facebook. In 2018, Jessica had a son, making Schumer a grandfather.

Electoral History

Schumer has been elected to the Senate multiple times. He first won his Senate seat in 1998. He has since been reelected in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022.

Honorary Degrees

Schumer has received several honorary degrees from universities. These degrees recognize his long career in public service.

  • Hofstra University (1999)
  • Hunter College (1999)
  • Adelphi University (2000)
  • New York Law School (2002)
  • Pace University (2004)
  • Touro Law Center (2007)
  • Brooklyn Law School (2015)

Images for kids

See also

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