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Quick facts for kids Jerry Nadler
Official portrait, 2019

Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee
In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Jim Jordan
Succeeded by	Jamie Raskin
In office December 20, 2017 – January 3, 2019
Preceded by	John Conyers
Succeeded by	Doug Collins
Chair of the House Judiciary Committee
In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Bob Goodlatte
Succeeded by	Jim Jordan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York
Incumbent
Assumed office November 3, 1992
Preceded by	Ted Weiss
Constituency	17th district (1992–1993) 8th district (1993–2013) 10th district (2013–2023) 12th district (2023–present)
Member of the New York State Assembly
In office January 1, 1977 – November 3, 1992
Preceded by	Albert H. Blumenthal
Succeeded by	Scott Stringer
Constituency	69th district (1977–1982) 67th district (1983–1992)

Personal details
Born	Jerrold Lewis Nadler (1947-06-13) June 13, 1947 (age 78) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Joyce Langsdorr Miller (m. 1976)
Children	1
Education	Columbia University (BA) Fordham University (JD)
Signature
Website

Jerrold Lewis Nadler, born on June 13, 1947, is an American lawyer and politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Since 2023, he has served as a U.S. representative for New York's 12th district. Mr. Nadler was first elected to Congress in 1992. Before that, he served for eight terms in the New York State Assembly. He is known for his liberal political views.

Early Life and Education

Jerrold Lewis Nadler was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on June 13, 1947. His family was Jewish. His father, Emanuel "Max" Nadler, was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party.

Young Jerry attended a Yeshiva in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was the only member of Congress with a yeshiva education as of 2018. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1965.

Mr. Nadler earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969 from Columbia University. After college, he worked as a legal assistant and clerk for several law firms. In 1972, he became a legislative assistant in the New York State Assembly.

While taking evening classes at Fordham University School of Law, Mr. Nadler was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1976. He finished his law degree in 1978.

New York State Assembly Service

Mr. Nadler was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 1992. During his time there, he worked on many important issues.

In 1985, he ran for Manhattan Borough President but did not win. He also ran for New York City Comptroller in 1989.

He started and led the Assembly Subcommittee on Mass Transit and Rail Freight. This group focused on improving public transportation and train services.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Elections to Congress

In 1992, Mr. Nadler ran for Congress. The representative for his district, Ted Weiss, passed away just before the election. Mr. Nadler was chosen to take his place. He won two elections on the same day. One was a special election to finish Mr. Weiss's term. The other was for a full two-year term in the new 8th district.

His district was later renumbered as the 10th district in 2013. This district included parts of Manhattan, like the Upper West Side and Greenwich Village. It also covered parts of Brooklyn, such as Coney Island and Bay Ridge. Many famous New York City landmarks are in this area, including the Statue of Liberty and Central Park. Mr. Nadler has always won his general elections by a large margin. His district has been represented by Democrats for over 120 years.

In 2022, Mr. Nadler ran against his fellow House member Carolyn Maloney. They were both drawn into the new 12th district after a process called redistricting. Mr. Nadler won the Democratic primary with 56% of the vote. He then won the general election for the 12th district.

Key Roles and Work

Mr. Nadler with First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009

Mr. Nadler speaking with Nydia Velazquez at a protest in 2017

Mr. Nadler is currently the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. This means he is the most senior member of the minority party on that committee. He is also a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

From 2019 to 2023, Mr. Nadler was the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. This committee plays a big role in creating laws and overseeing the justice system.

During his time as chairman, he was involved in the impeachment process against President Donald Trump. He served as an impeachment manager, which is like being a prosecutor in a trial.

In May 2025, an aide at Mr. Nadler's office in New York City was stopped by Department of Homeland Security officers. The officers claimed they did not need a warrant to enter his office. Mr. Nadler stated this was incorrect. The aide was later released without charges. Mr. Nadler has asked for a congressional investigation into this event.

Committee Assignments

Mr. Nadler works on important committees in the House of Representatives.

Current Committee

Committee on the Judiciary

Former Committees

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
- Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials

Groups He Belongs To

Mr. Nadler is part of several groups in Congress, called caucuses. These groups focus on specific issues or represent certain interests.

Congressional Arts Caucus
Black Maternal Health Caucus
Congressional Jewish Caucus (co-chair)
Congressional Progressive Caucus
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
Medicare for All Caucus
Congressional Coalition on Adoption
Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
Rare Disease Caucus

Political Views

Privacy and Surveillance

Mr. Nadler has expressed concerns about government surveillance. He was not happy with a bill passed in 2008 called the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. He said it did not protect people's privacy enough.

Taxes

Mr. Nadler believes that tax policies should help middle-class families. He has suggested changing income tax rules to consider the cost of living in different areas. This would help people in expensive cities like New York. He has also opposed tax breaks for very wealthy people.

Healthcare Rights

His ideas for Medicare include a plan to study health issues related to the September 11 attacks.

LGBT Rights

Mr. Nadler at New York City's Gay Pride parade in 2004

Mr. Nadler supports same-sex marriage. He also supports laws that protect people from unfair treatment based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In 2009, he helped introduce the Respect for Marriage Act. This bill aimed to make same-sex marriages recognized by the federal government. In 2019, he supported the Equality Act. This bill would expand civil rights laws to include protections for LGBT individuals.

Immigration

In 2019, Mr. Nadler spoke out against President Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southern border. He said that the president should not spend taxpayer money without Congress's approval.

International Relations

Iran

In 2015, Mr. Nadler voted to support an agreement with Iran. This agreement aimed to lift economic sanctions if Iran limited its nuclear program.

Israel

Mr. Nadler considers himself a strong supporter of Israel. He believes it is an important homeland for Jewish people.

In 2017, he commented on President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He said he had long recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital. However, he was concerned about the timing of the announcement. In 2025, he spoke against aggressive policing of pro-Palestinian protests.

Housing

In 2020, Mr. Nadler praised a judge's decision about a tall luxury building in Manhattan. The judge ruled that part of the building might need to be removed. This was because the building's permit should not have been given.

Climate Change

In April 2023, Mr. Nadler was one of many lawmakers who supported H.Res.319. This resolution calls for the creation of a Green New Deal, which is a plan to address climate change and create jobs.

Personal Life

Mr. Nadler married Josephine Langsdorr "Joyce" Miller in 1976. They have one child. As of 2013, they lived in Lincoln Square in Manhattan.

In 2002 and 2003, Mr. Nadler had surgery that helped him lose over 100 pounds.