Chuck Schumer is the incumbent US Senator from New York who has been in the office since January 3, 1999 as the successor of Al D’Amato. Previously, Schumer was a member of the US House of Representatives and New York State Assembly from the 45th District.
Early Life and Education
Chuck Schumer was born on November 23, 1950 to father Abraham Schumer and mother Selma. Raised in Brooklyn, New York by a Jewish family, Chuck went to a local community school in the neighborhood. Graduating as a valedictorian of James Madison High School, Schumer joined Harvard College for an undergraduate degree in politics. After undergrad, he stayed at Harvard to join Harvard Law School for a JD.
Personal Life
Chuck Schumer is married to Iris Weinshall since 1980 with two children: Jessica and Alison. The wedding event of Schumer and Weinshall was held at World Trade Center’s Windows on the World. Currently, both children of the Schumer family are Harvard graduates.
Career
In 1974, Chuck ran for a seat in the New York State Assembly and subsequently succeeded Stephen J. Solarz on January 1, 1975. He remained in the position for three terms and joined US House of Representatives as a member in 1981. Schumer served nine terms in the office and was finally succeeded by Anthony Weiner on January 3, 1999. From 1981 to 1983, he represented the 16th district in the House. Likewise, he represented 10th district from 1983 to 1993 and 9th district from 1993 to 1999.
Having been an experienced New York-based politician, Chuck Schumer decided to run for US Senatorial Election in 1998. He easily grabbed the Democratic nomination and later defeated incumbent Senator Al D’Amato with 54.62% votes. Serving in the office for six years, Schumer sought for another term in 2004. He won the election with 71.2% votes as opposed to Republican candidate Howard Mills’ 24.2% votes. Chuck again won the 2010 elections by receiving 65.4% votes.
In the 2016 Senatorial Election, Chuck ran for a fourth term in the office of New York Senator. He won 70.61% votes to thrash Wendy Long’s 27.16% votes. As a Senator, Chuck has been involved in the following committees:
- Joint Committee on the Library, vice chairman
- Joint Committee on Printing
- International Narcotics Control Caucus
- Select Committee on Intelligence
- Committee on Rules
Currently, Chuck also serves as the Senate Minority Leader who succeeded Harry Reid on January 3, 2017. Likewise, he was Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee from 2011 to 2017, Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus (2007 – 2017), Chair of the Senate Rules Committee ( 2009 – 2015) and Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (2005 – 2009).
In his political career of several decades, Chuck has been caught up in numerous controversies. In 2010, he commented on Israeli blockade on Gaza strip as a right thing to do. This sparked a controversy among human right activists and other people. Likewise, Schumer was heavily condemned by the public after calling flight attendant a bitch when she asked Schumer to switch off his phone.
Donald Trump and Chuck Schumer
Representing the opposite party to Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer is by default a leader with contrasting political views. Not liking the fact that Trump fired James Comey, Schumer has called for a rather deep investigation on the relationship between Trump and Russia.
Schumer on Trump’s executive order on immigration and travel ban:
