Chuck: The Man, The Myth, The Politician
Chuck Schumer: The Man
Brooklyn Born and Raised
Charles "Chuck" Schumer was born on November 23rd, 1950 in the Midwood borough of Brooklyn, New York. He is the oldest of three children born to Abe and Selma Schumer and was raised in the Jewish tradition. Schumer's father ran a small exterminating business while his mother was a homemaker. Chuck attended a public high school, Madison High School, in Brooklyn where he played basketball, wrote for the school newspaper, and graduated valedictorian (Schumer n.d.).
Fun Fact: While at Madison High School, Schumer competed in "It's Academic", a televised high school quiz show, helping his team win the New York City finals (CNN 2021)
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| 16 year old Schumer competing in "It's Academic" |
Harvard
After high school, Chuck attended Harvard College. Initially he planned to major in Chemistry, but after working on Eugene McCarthy's 1968 Presidential campaign he realized he had a talent and passion for politics and decided to change his major to social studies. Schumer went on to graduate magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1971 before attending Harvard Law School where he earned a Juris Doctor with honors in 1974. He passed the New York state bar the following year, but decided not to practice law, instead opting for a career in politics. (CNN 2021)
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| Schumer at his undergrad graduation with his father Abe, mother Selma, brother Robert and sister Fran. |
Chuck Schumer: The Politician
Early Political Career: New York State Assembly and the House
Shortly after graduating from Harvard Law School, Schumer was elected to the New York State Assembly. Here, Chuck served three terms, winning all of his elections. In 1980, at the age of 29, he was elected as a congressman to represent the 9th Congressional District of New York - Brooklyn and Queens. Chuck represented this district for eighteen years, earning a reputation as a consumer advocate and pioneer in the fight against crime. He was the leading sponsor of the Violence Against Women Act, which combated domestic violence and sexual assault, and the Brady Bill, which instituted mandatory background checks for handgun purchases. Additionally, he championed the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which organized data on crimes of bigotry and allowed federal authorities to prosecute these crimes. Finally, he sponsored legislation that required banks and credit card companies to provide greater disclosure to consumers. (Schumer n.d.)
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| Schumer during his time on the New York Assembly |
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| Rep. Schumer sitting in on a House committee meeting. |
The Senate
Chuck joined the U.S. Senate in 1999 by defeating three-term incumbent Republican Al D'Amato. In 2006, Schumer chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee with the responsibility of raising campaign funds for Democratic candidates in the 2006 Senate elections. Under Schumer's leadership, the Democratic Party gained six seats in the Senate in the 2006 elections, defeating Republican incumbents, and regaining control of the Senate for the first time in four years. After Senator Reid announced his retirement in 2015, the Senate Democratic caucus elected Schumer minority leader in 2016 -- making Schumer the first New Yorker and the first Jewish person to serve in this position. Then, after Democrats gained the Senate majority in 2021, Chuck became the majority leader, replacing Mitch McConnell (CNN 2021).
Current Committee Assignments
Legislative Achievements
Generic Drug Bill (2002) - makes it more difficult for brand-name drugs to keep cheaper generic drugs off the market.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009) - makes supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, energy efficiency, science, assistance to the unemployed, State, and local fiscal stabilization.
Immigration Reform Bill (2013) - helped clear the way for millions of undocumented residents to have a chance at citizenship, attract workers from all over the world, and devote additional resources for security along the southern border.
Infrastructure Bill (2021) - $1 Trillion bill aimed at improving and expanding transportation systems, high-speed internet, drinking water, and school facilities.
Interest Group Ratings (find full list of ratings here)
NARAL Pro-Choice America - 100%
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - 100%
Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) - 100%
National Education Association - 100%
National Rifle Association - 7%
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) - 100%
Sources
Schumer, Charles E. n.d. "About Chuck." https://www.schumer.senate.gov/about-chuck
CNN Editorial Research. "Chuck Schumer Fast Facts." CNN, November 8, 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/27/us/chuck-schumer-fast-facts
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