New York

State Senators:

Chuck Schumer (D)

Term Start: January 3, 1999

Full Name: Charles Ellis Schumer
Date of Birth: November 23, 1950
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Chuck Schumer was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood. He attended James Madison High School, where he excelled academically. Schumer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Harvard College in 1971 and continued his education at Harvard Law School, earning his Juris Doctor in 1974.

Personal Life: Chuck Schumer is married to Iris Weinshall, the Chief Operating Officer of the New York Public Library and former New York City Commissioner of Transportation. They have two children. The family resides in Brooklyn, New York. Schumer is known for his tireless work ethic, dedication to public service, and ability to navigate complex legislative processes.

Early Career: After completing his education, Schumer passed the New York State Bar in early 1975 but chose a career in politics over practicing law. He was elected to the New York State Assembly at the age of 23, representing Brooklyn’s 45th District. During his time in the Assembly, Schumer focused on consumer protection and healthcare issues.

Political Career:

New York State Assembly: Elected in 1974, Schumer served three terms in the New York State Assembly, where he focused on issues such as housing and consumer protection.
U.S. House of Representatives: In 1980, Schumer was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York’s 16th congressional district. He served in the House for nine terms from 1981 to 1999, representing various districts due to redistricting. Schumer was known for his work on crime, banking, and housing issues, playing a key role in passing legislation like the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.
U.S. Senate: In 1998, Schumer was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Senator Al D’Amato. He has been re-elected multiple times, becoming one of the most influential senators. As a senator, Schumer has focused on a wide range of issues, including healthcare, economic development, and judicial nominations. He has been a key figure in Democratic Party leadership and legislative strategy. He is currently the Senate Majority Leader.

Leadership Roles: Schumer has held several leadership positions in the Senate:

Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (2005-2009): Schumer led efforts to expand the Democratic majority in the Senate.
Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus (2007-2017): He played a key role in shaping the party’s legislative agenda.
Senate Minority Leader (2017-2021): Schumer led the Democratic opposition in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader (2021-present): As Majority Leader, Schumer oversees the legislative agenda and strategy for the Democratic Party in the Senate.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Rules and Administration
Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies – 2024
Select Committee on Intelligence

Legislative Achievements:

Healthcare: Schumer has been a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has worked to expand healthcare access and affordability. He has supported legislation to lower prescription drug costs and protect Medicaid.
Economic Policies: Schumer focuses on economic development, job creation, and tax reform. He has been a strong advocate for middle-class tax cuts and has supported various stimulus packages to boost the economy.
Infrastructure: Schumer has championed significant infrastructure investments. He was instrumental in passing the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” (H.R.3684), which aims to modernize the nation’s infrastructure and create jobs.
Consumer Protection: Schumer has a long history of advocating for consumer rights. He has supported legislation to protect consumers from fraud, ensure food and product safety, and regulate financial institutions.
Social Justice: Schumer is a proponent of civil rights and social justice. He has supported legislation to protect voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s reproductive rights, and has been vocal about addressing systemic racism.

Senator Schumer is known for his dedication to healthcare access, economic development, infrastructure investment, consumer protection, and social justice. His extensive experience in public service and leadership positions in the Senate shape his legislative priorities, where he continues to advocate for policies that benefit New Yorkers and the nation.

Committees

Rules and Administration: Committee ensures that the Senate functions smoothly and efficiently by overseeing its rules, administration, elections, and public access.

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies – 2024 (JCCIC): Committee oversees the planning and execution of all presidential inauguration events. The JCCIC is comprised of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it collaborates with various federal, state, and local agencies to organize the inauguration.

Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between national security needs and the protection of civil liberties by ensuring that intelligence operations are conducted lawfully and effectively.

Voting patterns

Senator Schumer has a voting record that reflects his commitment to healthcare access, economic development, infrastructure investment, consumer protection, and social justice.

Key Voting Patterns:

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act: Schumer is a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He has consistently voted against efforts to repeal or undermine the ACA and supported measures to expand Medicaid and lower prescription drug costs.
Prescription Drug Costs: Schumer has supported various bills aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs, including efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

Economic Policies:

Economic Stimulus: Schumer has supported significant economic stimulus packages aimed at boosting the economy and providing relief during crises. He voted for the “American Rescue Plan Act” (H.R.1319) to provide COVID-19 relief, stimulate the economy, and support families and businesses.
Tax Reform: Schumer advocates for middle-class tax cuts and has opposed tax policies that primarily benefit the wealthy. He has supported legislation to ensure tax fairness and economic equity.

Infrastructure:

Infrastructure Investment: Schumer has championed substantial infrastructure investments. He was instrumental in passing the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” (H.R.3684) to modernize the nation’s infrastructure, create jobs, and improve transportation, water, and broadband systems.

Consumer Protection:

Financial Regulation: Schumer has a long history of supporting consumer rights and financial regulation. He voted for the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (H.R.4173) to increase oversight of financial institutions and protect consumers from predatory practices.
Product Safety: Schumer has supported legislation to ensure food and product safety, protecting consumers from unsafe products and fraudulent practices.

Social Justice and Civil Rights:

Voting Rights: Schumer is a strong advocate for voting rights and has supported the “For the People Act” (H.R.1) to expand voting rights, address campaign finance reform, and reduce corruption in politics.
Equality: Schumer supports LGBTQ+ rights and voted for the “Equality Act” (H.R.5) to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He has also supported various measures to address systemic racism and promote civil liberties.
Women’s Rights: Schumer is a proponent of women’s reproductive rights and has consistently voted to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare.

Senator Jon Tester’s voting record demonstrates his commitment to progressive policies across various domains, including economic development, healthcare reform, national security, environmental protection, and social justice. His legislative efforts focus on supporting working families, ensuring accessible healthcare, protecting the environment, and promoting equality and civil rights.

Full Name: Kirsten Elizabeth Gillibrand
Date of Birth: December 9, 1966
Birthplace: Albany, New York, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Kirsten Gillibrand was born in Albany, New York, and grew up in a politically active family. She attended Emma Willard School in Troy, New York, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies. She then attended UCLA School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 1991.

Personal Life: Kirsten Gillibrand is married to Jonathan Gillibrand, a venture capitalist, and they have two sons. The family resides in Brunswick, New York. Known for her tenacity and dedication to public service, Gillibrand continues to work towards policies that promote justice, equality, and opportunity for all Americans.

Early Career: After law school, Gillibrand clerked for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and then worked as an attorney in private practice. She became a partner at the Manhattan law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, where she specialized in litigation and securities law. During this time, she also served as Special Counsel to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Andrew Cuomo, during the Clinton administration.

Kirsten Gillibrand (D)

Term Start: January 26, 2009

Political Career:

U.S. House of Representatives: In 2006, Gillibrand was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York’s 20th congressional district. She served two terms from 2007 to 2009. During her time in the House, Gillibrand focused on issues such as healthcare, veterans’ benefits, and transparency in government. She was known for her commitment to constituent services and her moderate to conservative positions on some issues, which reflected her largely rural district.
U.S. Senate: In 2009, Gillibrand was appointed to the U.S. Senate by New York Governor David Paterson to fill the seat vacated by Hillary Clinton, who became Secretary of State. She won a special election in 2010 to complete the term and was re-elected in 2012 and 2018. As a senator, Gillibrand has shifted to more progressive positions and has been a strong advocate for women’s rights, healthcare reform, and military issues such as military sexual assault.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Armed Services
Select Committee on Intelligence
Special Committee on Aging

Legislative Achievements:

Military Sexual Assault: Gillibrand has been a leading advocate for addressing sexual assault in the military. She authored the “Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act” to reform how the military handles sexual assault cases.
Healthcare: Gillibrand supports expanding healthcare access and affordability. She has co-sponsored “Medicare for All” legislation and has worked to lower prescription drug costs and expand Medicaid.
Family Leave: Gillibrand is a strong advocate for paid family leave. She introduced the “Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act” to provide paid leave for workers dealing with serious health conditions or family needs.
Economic Policies: Gillibrand focuses on economic justice and opportunity. She has supported measures to increase the minimum wage, expand tax credits for low-income families, and promote small business growth.
Environmental Issues: Gillibrand is an advocate for environmental protection and climate change action. She has supported legislation to promote clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and address environmental injustices.

Senator Gillibrand is known for her dedication to military justice reform, healthcare access, family leave, economic justice, and environmental protection. Her background as an attorney and her extensive experience in public service shape her legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where she continues to advocate for policies that benefit New Yorkers and the nation.

Committees

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Armed Services: Oversees military operations, defense policies, and the Department of Defense, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Special Committee on Aging: Committee aims to improve the well-being, health, and financial security of older Americans.

Voting patterns

Senator Gillibrand has a voting record that reflects her commitment to military justice reform, healthcare access, family leave, economic justice, and environmental protection.

Key Voting Patterns:

Military Justice Reform:

Sexual Assault in the Military: Gillibrand has been a leading advocate for reforming how the military handles sexual assault cases. She consistently pushes for measures that would move the prosecution of these cases outside the chain of command, as seen in her support for the “Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act.”

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act: Gillibrand is a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has consistently voted against efforts to repeal or undermine it. She supports expanding healthcare access and affordability through measures like “Medicare for All.”
Prescription Drug Costs: Gillibrand has supported various bills aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs, including efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

Family Leave:

Paid Family Leave: Gillibrand is a strong advocate for paid family leave. She introduced the “Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act,” which would provide paid leave for workers dealing with serious health conditions or family needs.

Economic Policies:

Economic Justice: Gillibrand focuses on promoting economic justice and opportunity. She supports raising the federal minimum wage, expanding tax credits for low-income families, and promoting small business growth. She voted for the “American Rescue Plan Act” (H.R.1319) to provide COVID-19 relief and stimulate the economy.
Tax Policy: Gillibrand advocates for tax policies that benefit the middle class and has opposed tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy.

Environmental Issues:

Climate Change and Clean Energy: Gillibrand is an advocate for strong environmental protections and climate action. She supports the “Green New Deal” resolution and has voted for the “Climate Action Now Act” (H.R.9) to keep the U.S. in the Paris Agreement.
Conservation: She supports measures to protect public lands and promote conservation, as seen in her voting record on environmental protection bills.

Social Justice and Civil Rights:

- Equality and Civil Rights: Gillibrand supports LGBTQ+ rights and voted for the “Equality Act” (H.R.5) to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. She has also supported various measures to address systemic racism and promote civil liberties.
- Women’s Rights: Gillibrand is a proponent of women’s reproductive rights and has consistently voted to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare.

Senator Gillibrand’s voting record reflects her commitment to progressive principles, emphasizing economic growth through equitable policies, comprehensive healthcare access, balanced national security, strong environmental protections, and the advancement of social justice and civil rights.